A Water Supply System for Emergency and Extreme Emergency Situations in the UAE

Abstract

The United Arab Emirates (UAE), characterized by extreme aridity and dependence on desalination, faces critical challenges in maintaining a resilient water distribution system. Enhancing system resilience has become a national priority. This is because of the increasing risks of technical failures, cyber threats, and natural disruptions. This research proposes a simulation-based framework. It integrates EPANET and Python to evaluate and strengthen the resilience of water networks under normal as well as emergency conditions. EPANET provides robust hydraulic modeling capabilities. This is while Python facilitates automation, optimization, and stochastic scenario analysis through libraries like WNTR and Epynet. The methodology involves network modeling, emergency event simulation, resilience metric evaluation, and cost-performance trade-off analysis. Specific focus is placed on modeling pressure-dependent demands. Other than this, focus is also placed on simulating pipe bursts and pump failures and optimizing recovery strategies. The study also incorporates cost estimations to ensure that resilience enhancements are financially viable, aligned with UAE’s sustainability and water security goals. This research addresses existing gaps and provides a dynamic decision-support tool for infrastructure planning. The outcome aims to contribute meaningfully to national water security strategies and serve as a model for other arid, desalination-dependent regions worldwide.

Date of Award	Jul 2025
Original language	American English
Supervisor	Andrei Sleptchenko (Supervisor)