Water transmission resilience analytics informed by hydraulics using connectivity, path diversity, and stability

Abstract

Water distribution networks provide a critical role in ensuring a reliable water supply. Assessing the resilience of these networks is essential for managing risks and enhancing water security, particularly in evaluating the reliability of water transmission from reservoirs to tanks. However, existing methodologies often focus on a single aspect, such as connectivity or redundancy, without integrating multiple resilience dimensions. This study addresses this gap by developing a resilience assessment framework that evaluates reservoir-to-tank resilience through three key indicators: hydraulic connectivity, supply path diversity, and supply path stability. The hydraulic connectivity indicator couples graph theory with hydraulic characteristics to evaluate the efficiency of water transport from reservoirs to tanks by incorporating real-time head loss calculations. Supply path diversity quantifies the extent to which the network utilizes multiple transmission routes, and supply path stability assesses the persistence of supply paths over time. These indicators are combined into a composite resilience score to provide a holistic assessment of network performance. A sensitivity analysis is conducted to examine the robustness of the resilience rankings under different methodological assumptions. This methodology was applied to the C-Town benchmark network with seven terminal tanks (Tank 1 to Tank 7) over a 7-day simulation period, and revealed that when considering only hydraulic connectivity, Tank 1 consistently ranked as the most resilient tank, while Tank 4 was the least resilient, reflecting their differences in network connectivity and susceptibility to head loss. When integrating all three indicators into the composite resilience score, Tank 1 remained the most resilient, while Tank 4 continued to rank as one of the least resilient tanks, confirming the stability of the assessment and highlighting the influence of both structural and operational factors on overall resilience. The proposed framework provides a structured approach for evaluating reservoir-to-tank resilience and can support decision-makers in prioritizing network reinforcements and developing targeted mitigation strategies to enhance long-term water security.