The PROCRUSTES testbed: tackling cyber-physical risk for water systems

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georgios Moraitis ◽  
Dionysios Nikolopoulos ◽  
Ifigeneia Koutiva ◽  
Ioannis Tsoukalas ◽  
George Karavokiros ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Water Distribution ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Water System ◽  
Water Distribution Network ◽  
Water Systems ◽  
Cyber Attacks ◽  
Water Utilities ◽  
Water Sector ◽  
Information Layer

<p>Our modern urban environment relies on critical infrastructures that serve vital societal functions, such as water supply and sanitation, which are exposed to various threats of both physical and cyber nature. Despite the progress in protection and increased vigilance, long-established practices within the water utilities may rely on precarious methods for the characterization and assessment of threats, with uncertainty pertaining to risk-relevant data and information. Sources for uncertainty can be attributed to e.g. limited capabilities of deterministic approaches, siloed analysis of water systems, use of ambiguous measures to describe and prioritise risks or common security misconceptions. To tackle those challenges, this work brings together an ensemble of solutions, to form a novel, unified process of resilience assessment for the water sector against an emerging cyber-physical threat landscape e.g., cyber-attacks on the command and control sub-system. Specifically, the proposed framework sets out an operational workflow that combines, inter alia, a) an Agent-Based Modelling (ABM) approach to derive alternative routes to quantify risks considering the dynamics of socio-technical systems, b) an adaptable optimisation platform which integrates advanced multi-objective algorithms for system calibration, uncertainty propagation analysis and asset criticality prioritization and c) a dynamic risk reduction knowledge-base (RRKB) designed to facilitate the identification and selection of suitable risk reduction measures (RRM). This scheme is overarched by a cyber-physical testbed, able to realistically model the interactions between the information layer (sensors, PLCs, SCADA) and the water distribution network. The testbed is designed to assess the water system beyond normal operational capacity. It facilitates the exploration of emergent and unidentified threats and vulnerabilities leading to Low Probability, High Consequence (LPHC) events that systems are not originally designed to handle. It also evaluates alternative risk treatment options against case-appropriate indicators. The final product is the accretion of actionable information to integrate risk into decision-making in a practical and standardized form. Our work envisions to bring forth state-of-art technologies and approaches for the cyber-wise water sector. We aspire to enhance existing capabilities for large utilities and enable small and medium water utilities with typically less resources, to reinforce their systems’ resilience and be better prepared against cyber-physical and other threats.</p>

scholarly journals Interactive Visualisation of Water Distribution Network Optimisation

10.29007/x55c ◽  
2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Johns ◽  
David Walker ◽  
Edward Keedwell ◽  
Dragan Savic
Keyword(s):  
Evolutionary Algorithms ◽  
Visual Analytics ◽  
Water Distribution ◽  
Distribution Network ◽  
Water System ◽  
Water Distribution Network ◽  
Water Systems ◽  
Network Optimisation ◽  
Water Distribution Network Design ◽  
Interactive Visualisation

Evolutionary algorithms have been used to optimize water systems in the literature for over three decades. However, their use for solving real-world water system problems in industry is still very limited. The work presented in this paper details the development of an interactive visualisation client for water distribution network design, which is part of a larger project to bring EAs closer to practicing engineers. The system aims at engaging engineers by actively involving them in the optimization process through the use of advanced visual analytics and novel interactive evolution techniques.

scholarly journals Detection, integration and persistence of aeromonads in water distribution pipe biofilms

2004 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 83-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.-M. Bomo ◽  
M. V. Storey ◽  
N. J. Ashbolt
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Water Distribution ◽  
Water System ◽  
Water Systems ◽  
Biofilm Reactor ◽  
Recycled Water ◽  
Decay Kinetics ◽  
Aeromonas Caviae ◽  
Health Significance

The occurrence of Aeromonas spp. within biofilms formed on stainless steel (SS), unplasticized polyvinyl chloride (uPVC) and glass (GL) substrata was investigated in modified Robbins Devices (MRD) in potable (MRD-p) and recycled (MRD-r) water systems, a Biofilm Reactor™ (BR) and a laboratory-scale pipe loop (PL) receiving simulated recycled wastewater. No aeromonads were isolated from the MRD-p whereas 3–10% of SS and uPVC coupons (mean 3.85 CFU cm−2 and 12.8 CFU cm−2, respectively) were aeromonad-positive in the MRD-r. Aeromonads were isolated from six SS coupons (67%) (mean 63.4 CFU cm−2) and nine uPVC coupons (100%) (mean 6.50×102 CFU cm−2) in the BR™ fed with recycled water and from all coupons (100%) in the simulated recycled water system (PL). Mean numbers of aeromonads on GL and SS coupons were 5.83×102 CFU cm−2 and 8.73×102 CFU cm−2, respectively. No isolate was of known human health significance (i.e. Aeromonas caviae, A. hydrophila or A. veronii), though they were confirmed as Aeromonas spp. by PCR and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Challenging the PL biofilms with a slug dose of A. hydrophila (ATCC 14715) showed that biofilm in the PL accumulated in the order of 103–104A. hydrophila cm−2, the number of which decreased over time, though could not be explained in terms of conventional 1st order decay kinetics. A sub-population of FISH-positive A. hydrophila became established within the biofilm, thereby demonstrating their ability to incorporate and persist in biofilms formed within distribution pipe systems. A similar observation was not made for culturable aeromonads, though the exact human health significance of this remains unknown. These findings, however, further question the adequacy of culture-based techniques and their often anomalous discrepancy with direct techniques for the enumeration of bacterial pathogens in environmental samples.

scholarly journals New Challenges in Water Systems

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 2340 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helena M. Ramos ◽  
Armando Carravetta ◽  
Aonghus Mc Nabola
Keyword(s):  
Water Distribution ◽  
Risk Function ◽  
Water System ◽  
Distribution Networks ◽  
Water Systems ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Integrated Analysis ◽  
System Efficiency ◽  
Pressurized Water ◽  
New Challenges

New challenges in water systems include different approaches from analysis of failures and risk assessment to system efficiency improvements and new innovative designs. In water distribution networks (WDNs), the risk function is a measure of its vulnerability level and security loss. Analyses of transient flows which are associated with the most dangerous operating conditions, are compulsory to grant the system liability both in water quantity, quality, and management. Specific equipment, such as air valves are used in pressurized water pipes to manage the air inside associated with the filling process, that can also act as a control mechanism, where the major limitation is its reliability. Advanced tools are developed specifically to smart water grids implementation and operation. The water system efficiency and water-energy nexus, through the implementation of suitable, pressure control and energy recovery devices, and pumped-storage hydropower solutions, provide guidelines for the determination of the most technical cost-effective result. Integrated analysis of water and energy allows more reliable, flexible, and sustainable eco-design projects, reaching better resilience systems through new concepts. The development of model simulations, based on hydraulic simulators and computational fluid dynamics (CFD), conjugating with field or experimental tests, supported by advanced smart equipment, allow the control, identification, and anticipation of complex events necessary to maintain the water system security and efficiency.

scholarly journals Risk-based sensor placement methods for burst/leak detection in water distribution systems

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 1663-1672 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Forconi ◽  
Z. Kapelan ◽  
M. Ferrante ◽  
H. Mahmoud ◽  
C. Capponi
Keyword(s):  
Distribution Systems ◽  
Water Distribution ◽  
Social Economic ◽  
Water Distribution Systems ◽  
Water System ◽  
Water Distribution Network ◽  
Leak Detection ◽  
Optimal Placement ◽  
Water Volume ◽  
The Impact

Abstract The optimal placement of sensors for burst/leak detection in water distribution systems is usually formulated as an optimisation problem. In this study three different risk-based functions are used to drive optimal location of a given number of sensors in a water distribution network. A simple function based on likelihood of leak non-detection is compared with two other risk-based functions, where impact and exposure are combined with the leak detection likelihood. The impact is considered proportional to the demand water volume while the exposure is related to the importance of the connections and it is evaluated in social, economic or safety terms. The methods are applied to a district metered area of the Harrogate network by means of a modified EPANET model, to take into account the pressure-driven functioning conditions of the system. The results show that the exposure can lead to a different sensor location ranking with respect to other criteria used and hence the proposed methodology can represent a useful tool for water system managers to distribute the sensors in the network, complying with hydraulic, social and economical requirements.

An evaluation of security measures implemented to address physical threats to water infrastructure in the state of Mississippi

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 49
Author(s):  
Jason R. Barrett, PhD Candidate ◽  
P. Edward French, PhD
Keyword(s):  
Local Governments ◽  
Distribution Systems ◽  
Water Distribution ◽  
Critical Infrastructure ◽  
The United States ◽  
Water Systems ◽  
Cyber Attacks ◽  
Fiscal Year ◽  
Water Supply Systems ◽  
Security Measures

The events of September 11, 2001, increased and intensified domestic preparedness efforts in the United States against terrorism and other threats. The heightened focus on protecting this nation’s critical infrastructure included legislation requiring implementation of extensive new security measures to better defend water supply systems against physical, chemical/ biological, and cyber attacks. In response, municipal officials have implemented numerous safeguards to reduce the vulnerability of these systems to purposeful intrusions including ongoing vulnerability assessments, extensive personnel training, and highly detailed emergency response and communication plans. This study evaluates fiscal year 2010 annual compliance assessments of public water systems with security measures that were implemented by Mississippi’s Department of Health as a response to federal requirements to address these potential terrorist threats to water distribution systems. The results show that 20 percent of the water systems in this state had at least one security violation on their 2010 Capacity Development Assessment, and continued perseverance from local governments is needed to enhance the resiliency and robustness of these systems against physical threats.

DASH of Water – water distribution system modelling in the age of smart water meters

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Steffelbauer ◽  
Mirjam Blokker ◽  
Arno Knobbe ◽  
Edo Abraham
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Distribution Systems ◽  
Water Distribution ◽  
Data Science ◽  
Water Systems ◽  
Simulation Software ◽  
Water Utilities ◽  
Smart Meter ◽  
Smart Meters ◽  
Demand Models

<p>Worldwide, water utilities face exceptional challenges as communities are running out of water and new resources are ill-equipped to meet rising water demands. Furthermore, in many cities, years of stringent financial constraints on water utilities, unoptimized operations and the unaffordability for utilities to maintain and replace their aging infrastructure has resulted in dramatically growing leakage levels, especially in places already under high water stress. Even in Europe, as a matter of fact, nearly one quarter of treated water is lost in the distribution systems before reaching the customers. As a result, the aging water infrastructure is challenged to become more efficient.</p><p>Nowadays, an increasing number of water utilities use hydraulic simulation software to design and operate water systems in a more efficient way. However, measurements in water distribution are scarce, which results in inaccurate computer models of real systems. Recently, smart meters have become available as a promising remedy. These smart meters measure water usage of households and transmit information to water utilities in real-time. Now is the time to make water distribution simulation software fit for the future, by exploiting this new Big-data source and start a new era in hydraulic modeling, aiming to increase the operational efficiency of our drinking water systems and save our precious water resources.</p><p>This work proposes an innovative new way of combining hydraulic models, data from smart meters and stochastic demand modelling to develop beyond state-of-the-art methods to simulate water distribution systems. It is shown how data science algorithms (e.g. dynamic time warping, clustering, demand disaggregation, household activity identification, …) can be used to extract high-level information from smart meter data (e.g. daily water use routines, work schedules, socio-economic characteristics). Such information is crucial for simulating water demand accurately. Hence, data science algorithms can be used to automatically parametrize stochastic demand models (e.g. SIMDEUM) based on smart meter data, and improve their accuracy. The improved demand models are coupled with hydraulic simulations, leading to a more realistic way of simulating real water systems. Examples on a wide range of real-world applications show how these novel modelling approaches can be used to increase the operational efficiency of drinking water systems. For instance, more accurate models enable faster detection and localization of leaks in water pipes and, thus, minimize distribution losses. This work is part of the project “DASH of Water”, which aims to develop advanced <strong>da</strong>ta-driven <strong>s</strong>tochastic <strong>h</strong>ydraulic (DASH) models of drinking water distribution systems.</p>

Software Development for the Water Sector

2007 ◽  
Vol 18-19 ◽  
pp. 543-548
Author(s):  
Akpofure E. Taigbenu ◽  
Adesola A. Ilemobade
Keyword(s):  
Software Development ◽  
Water Distribution ◽  
Water Distribution Network ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Paradigm Shifts ◽  
Water Sector ◽  
Postgraduate Students ◽  
Groundwater Flow Modelling ◽  
Sub Saharan

The water sector in the last 20 years has undergone radical paradigm shifts arising from the crisis of global proportions that have characterized the sector, prompting many international fora, including the Dublin conference in January 1992. One of the responses from academic institutions to this crisis is the development of computer-based predictive tools for better and more accurate prediction of the variables that affect water use and management. In the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of the Witwatersrand, attempts have been made to develop software to aid planning, management, and decision making in the water sector. Two of such software are Wadessy - a water distribution network design software, and a groundwater flow modelling software GEMFLOW that is based on the Green element method (GEM). Although their engines are quite robust and have been applied in field studies in Botswana and Zimbabwe, and compare favourably with published models, their elegance in terms of graphical user interface (GUI) is still rudimentary. The cost for their development has been mainly in the training of postgraduate students who have assisted in their development. Industry uptake has been very limited, which is one of the reasons why their GUIs are still rudimentary. With greater investment into the development and marketing of these and many other software, the potential exists to have “made-in-Africa” software with capabilities comparable, if not better than, those developed in more advanced countries. This paper reports on these software, compares these with similar initiatives in more advanced countries, and discusses the challenges in development, funding, and uptake by industry. The experiences described herein are most likely to be similar with other software development initiatives in sub- Saharan Africa.

"Model and simulation of a real water distribution network to support emergency plans"

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luisa Lavalle ◽  
Tatiana Patriarca ◽  
Bernard Daulne ◽  
Olivier Hautier ◽  
Ester Ciancamerla
Keyword(s):  
Distribution System ◽  
Water Distribution ◽  
Distribution Network ◽  
Water Distribution Network ◽  
Cyber Attacks ◽  
Emergency Plans ◽  
Electricity Grid ◽  
Horizon 2020 ◽  
Electrical Grid ◽  
The Impact

"This paper presents a water distribution network model to evaluate the impact of adverse events, such as faults and/or cyber-attacks, on a real water distribution system in a wider context which involves the interdependency with the electrical grid, in the frame of the Horizon 2020 project ATENA. The model has been developed by using a commercial simulator, which can address both the electrical and the water domain. Specific features and modules have been added to the simulator, in order to calculate the water level in tanks – an important and missing metric to support emergency plans. The interdependency among the electricity grid and the water network is considered throughout pumps, which are at the same time electrical loads and hydraulic devices. Two use cases, dealing with faults or cyber-attacks against the electrical grid affecting critical pumps or treatment stations, are investigated and the simulation results are reported."

Role of Environmental Surveillance in Determining the Risk of Hospital-Acquired Legionellosis: A National Surveillance Study With Clinical Correlations

2007 ◽  
Vol 28 (7) ◽  
pp. 818-824 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janet E. Stout ◽  
Robert R. Muder ◽  
Sue Mietzner ◽  
Marilyn M. Wagener ◽  
Mary Beth Perri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Monitoring ◽  
Legionella Pneumophila ◽  
Distribution System ◽  
Water Distribution ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Water System ◽  
Water Systems ◽  
Environmental Surveillance ◽  
Clinical Surveillance ◽  
Hospital Acquired

Objective.Hospital-acquired Legionella pneumonia has a fatality rate of 28%, and the source is the water distribution system. Two prevention strategies have been advocated. One approach to prevention is clinical surveillance for disease without routine environmental monitoring. Another approach recommends environmental monitoring even in the absence of known cases of Legionella pneumonia. We determined the Legionella colonization status of water systems in hospitals to establish whether the results of environmental surveillance correlated with discovery of disease. None of these hospitals had previously experienced endemic hospital-acquired Legionella pneumonia.Design.Cohort study.Setting.Twenty US hospitals in 13 states.Interventions.Hospitals performed clinical and environmental surveillance for Legionella from 2000 through 2002. All specimens were shipped to the Special Pathogens Laboratory at the Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Medical Center.Results.Legionella pneumophila and Legionella anisa were isolated from 14 (70%) of 20 hospital water systems. Of 676 environmental samples, 198 (29%) were positive for Legionella species. High-level colonization of the water system (30% or more of the distal outlets were positive for L. pneumophila) was demonstrated for 6 (43%) of the 14 hospitals with positive findings. L. pneumophila serogroup 1 was detected in 5 of these 6 hospitals, whereas 1 hospital was colonized with L. pneumophila serogroup 5. A total of 633 patients were evaluated for Legionella pneumonia from 12 (60%) of the 20 hospitals: 377 by urinary antigen testing and 577 by sputum culture. Hospital-acquired Legionella pneumonia was identified in 4 hospitals, all of which were hospitals with L. pneumophila serogroup 1 found in 30% or more of the distal outlets. No cases of disease due to other serogroups or species (L. anisa) were identified.Conclusion.Environmental monitoring followed by clinical surveillance was successful in uncovering previously unrecognized cases of hospital-acquired Legionella pneumonia.

scholarly journals Optimization of Hydraulic Pressures in Kabacan Water District Pipe Network using h-Newton-Raphson Technique

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (2S11) ◽  
pp. 2782-2787
Keyword(s):  
Water Distribution ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Water System ◽  
Control Valve ◽  
Network Models ◽  
Water Distribution Network ◽  
Optimization Approach ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Large Scale Networks ◽  
Water District

The purpose of this study is to optimize the hydraulic pressures of a real-world water distribution network to protect the system with sustained adequate water supply. This novel approach is different from other published works in the sense that this study is intended to improve the water system of the Kabacan Water District (KWD) in Cotabato, Philippines. Yet, there are no previous scholarly efforts done with the KWD water system; thus, this study. The method used here is a modification of the methods used by references [4] and [14]. This optimization approach includes determination of control valve placement in the network to control the hydraulic pressures within the system. The proposed numerical model, with the EPANET Toolkit interface, resulted in a simpler and more accurate algorithm, which converges easily in all the 48 network models used in this study where the convergence is achieved from 9 to 74 iterations. This is an efficient and easy-to-use optimization solver for analyzing looped pipe networks even in large scale networks.

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