G. V. Loganathan’s Legacy on Water Distribution System Asset Management

During the last 10years, the writers conducted four projects with Dr. G. V. Loganathan on water distribution system research and applications, and developed and used several tools, which, combined, formed a comprehensive methodology for water distribution system asset management. This paper highlights Dr. Loganathan’s contributions in water distribution system asset management. One of the projects was to develop a prioritized water main replacement program for a water utility experiencing a large number of cast iron water main breaks. For this project Dr. Loganathan formulated a computer program to analyze a large amount of water main break data, on a pipe-by-pipe basis, to formulate an economic model to identify an economically optimum time to replace a pipe, and to develop an optimum water main replacement program. In the second project Dr. Loganathan developed a methodology and a modeling system to predict structural failure and to prioritize candidate mains for renewal. Once an asset management program for renewal of pipes was developed, Dr. Loganathan formulated a decision support system software to evaluate and identify on a site-specific basis, the most suitable water main renewal technologies available to water utilities for renewal of a specific water main. For the most recent project with Dr. Loganathan, he developed software for optimization of valve placement and management in a water distribution network in minimizing customer outages due to valve and pipe failures. This comprehensive system of tools that Dr. Loganathan helped to develop will help water utilities develop a water distribution system asset management plan that will minimize adverse impacts due to valve and pipe failures.