Integrating the agent-based approach with hydraulic analysis of the water distribution network to a realistic micro-scale simulation of end-users in GAZ City, Iran

Study region

GAZ City water distribution network in Isfahan province, Iran

Study focus

In conventional water distribution network models, consumer water demand and water use behaviors are often oversimplified. These models are typically one-directional, simulating how water distribution networks' performance affects nodal demand estimation, neglecting complexity behind mutual interactions between household and water distribution network behaviors. This study proposes a novel framework, integrating an agent-based model with a hydraulic simulator, to simulate realistic consumer water use, which can capture reciprocal dynamics between end-user behaviors and the hydraulic performance of water distribution networks. These dynamics simulate how network pressure influences individual water use and how consumer water use feeds back hydraulic performance. The primary objective is to simulate these two-way interactions under abnormal conditions, thereby strengthening hydraulic analysis and supporting the assessment of social satisfaction.

New hydrological insights for the region

In the proposed framework, individual water-use behaviors across different activities are simulated under varying pressure conditions, accounting for both individual characteristics and social interactions. Results showed that consumer dissatisfaction was concentrated during peak demand periods under low-pressure conditions, while water use exceeded demand during off-peak times. Furthermore, modifying consumer attitudes toward water conservation improved network performance by 13 % without altering hydraulic parameters. By simulating realistic consumer responses, the framework provides a tool for evaluating the outcomes of water management policies under abnormal conditions.