Reliability Study of a Potable Water Supply System

The City of Townsville in Queensland, Australia is responsible for delivering a reliable water supply to its residents. Due to drought and rapid growth, there is a requirement to augment existing water infrastructure to maintain the reliability and security of supply in this region. Golder Associates used GoldSim to develop a user-friendly planning tool capable of modeling existing and planned infrastructure, as well as operational scenarios. 

The model was used to optimize water supply reliability and security to urban and industrial customers over a 50-year period. The model estimated the most cost efficient sequencing of new infrastructure and accounted for the effects of climate variability and estimates of the impacts of climate change on reliability and yields of water storages. Outputs from this model were compared with water management studies undertaken by government agencies and other stakeholder to provide verification and ensure compatibility with City’s Water Business financial model. The model was designed so that it can be routinely maintained (annually), thus providing the Water Business with regular updates of their level of service and risk profile.