Background
HydroCo has recently completed a series of hydraulic modelling studies for a client, focusing on the isolation of key assets across their water supply network, including pumps, reservoirs, and water treatment works. These studies were undertaken to support the client’s strategic planning, identify critical reinforcement needs, and inform emergency response planning in the event of mechanical failures or power outages.
Strategic Asset Outage Modelling
Critical Infrastructure Vulnerabilities Identified
Mitigation Strategies Developed
Network Resilience Prioritised
Our Approach
The modelling was carried out using InfoWorks WS Pro and incorporated a range of the client’s hydraulic models. In several cases, it was necessary to combine multiple models to fully capture the system-wide impacts of specific outages. Each scenario was assessed under two demand conditions:
- Average demand, reflecting recent telemetry and operational data
- Peak demand, simulating maximum usage to test system performance under stress
Simulations were run over extended periods to evaluate the dynamic impact of outages, including reservoir depletion and customer supply interruptions over time.
Based on the modelling results, HydroCo developed a series of mitigation strategies. These included short-term operational adjustments to extend reservoir service duration, as well as longer-term strategic options involving inter-reservoir transfers to maintain supply while affected sites were brought back online.
In some instances, the modelling identified scenarios where no feasible mitigation was possible—highlighting key vulnerabilities within the network. These findings provided the client with critical insights into system limitations and informed the prioritisation of infrastructure reinforcements to enhance network resilience.
If you would like to learn more about how HydroCo can support you with asset outage assessments, please contact us at innovation@hydroco.co.uk or call 023 92 450 007.
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