Therefore, it is essential to consider the criticality of a pipeline in terms of its role in providing water to customers and the impact of its failure on public health, safety, and the environment. Criticality assessment is a process that evaluates the importance of each pipeline based on its function and location within the WDN.
The criticality assessment considers various factors such as pipe material, age, diameter, pressure rating, flow rate, location, and proximity to sensitive areas like hospitals, schools, or environmentally sensitive areas. The assessment helps identify high-risk pipelines that require immediate replacement or rehabilitation.
Moreover, criticality assessment can aid in prioritizing asset management strategies by identifying pipelines with a high likelihood of failure and those with a significant impact on service reliability. Asset management strategies can include proactive maintenance programs like leak detection surveys or rehabilitation programs like relining or replacement.
In conclusion, criticality assessment is an essential tool for decision-making in water distribution networks. It ensures that resources are allocated efficiently by targeting high-risk pipelines for replacement or rehabilitation while considering their consequences on society and the environment.
