Start of Midas project aimed at making optimal use of the multiple data sources for pipe-network condition models

Background

Drinking water utilities and Water Authorities increasingly feel the need to support their decisions concerning the maintenance and rehabilitation of their pipes with specified pipe-condition models. However, the successful use of these models depends fundamentally on the availability of input data from a multiplicity of data sources. The Midas project is elaborating a method of using available data sources as effectively as possible for the support of pipe rehabilitation decisions. This initiative includes combining data sources and filling in any existing gaps, and assessing the importance of the individual sources.

For a complete data overview

Midas will provide for greater accuracy of input data for condition models, and thus give Water Authorities and drinking water utilities access to better-founded and more precise estimates of the failure probabilities of their pipes. Furthermore, the uncertainty of these input data, and thus of the models’ outcomes, will also be taken into account, so that it will also be possible to assess the accuracy of the failure probability or expected remaining life-span. Better support data for pipe rehabilitation decisions helps minimise costs by avoiding needless investments, and reduces the costs and nuisance associated with failures. The outcomes will offer technology providers the possibility in the coming years of applying condition models in a well-founded manner, when interpreting environmental data and inspections for their clients. Inspections will also be able to be better targeted, with a view to filling in any data gaps and arriving at the most cost-effective solution.

From inspection data to reporting

The Midas project got under way last summer. At the moment, the data are being enriched with pipe parameters and environmental data in order to enhance the accuracy of the condition models. In mid-2022, the collected data will be incorporated into a report.

Public-Private Partnership

This activity is co-funded by PPP financing from the Premium for Top Sector Alliances for Knowledge and Innovation (TKIs) of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy.