In the heart of Armenia, a silent crisis is unfolding beneath the streets of its settlements. Water, a resource as vital as it is finite, is disappearing into the ground, and the culprit is not drought or misappropriation, but aging infrastructure and outdated technology. This is the focus of a groundbreaking study led by Aram A. Sahakyan, which promises to reshape how we understand and manage water losses in internal water supply networks.
Sahakyan’s research, published in the esteemed journal ‘Известия Томского политехнического университета: Инжиниринг георесурсов’ (Tomsk Polytechnic University Journal: Engineering of Georesources), delves into the intricate web of pipes and meters that supply water to homes and businesses. The findings are stark: in some settlements, water loss is so severe that the unaccounted volume is nearly equal to the amount of water sold. This is not just a water crisis; it’s an economic one.
The energy sector, which is intrinsically linked to water management, stands to gain significantly from Sahakyan’s work. Pumping water through leaky pipes requires substantial energy, and the cost of treating and pumping lost water is a burden that ultimately falls on consumers and businesses. “The correct assessment of the components of losses leads to the systematic execution of targeted actions of discovering the loss of the system and their recovery,” Sahakyan emphasizes, highlighting the potential for substantial savings.
The study, conducted across various settlements in Armenia, considered a multitude of factors, including the number of floors in buildings, network pressure, year of construction, and type of gauging devices. This comprehensive approach allowed Sahakyan to develop a detailed water balance, providing a clear picture of where and how water is being lost.
One of the most striking findings is the impact of outdated water meters and the poor condition of internal networks in private houses. In systems with 71.4% water loss, these factors alone account for over 27.7% of the unaccounted water volume. This revelation underscores the urgent need for infrastructure upgrades and the adoption of modern metering technologies.
The implications of Sahakyan’s research extend far beyond Armenia. As urbanization continues to surge globally, the demand for efficient water management will only intensify. The methods and insights developed by Sahakyan offer a roadmap for other regions grappling with similar challenges. By understanding the specific conditions and components of water loss, municipalities can implement targeted solutions, reducing waste and enhancing the overall efficiency of their water supply systems.
Moreover, the study’s emphasis on experimental studies conducted directly on operational water supply networks sets a new standard for research in this field. This hands-on approach ensures that the findings are not just theoretical but practical and immediately applicable.
As we look to the future, Sahakyan’s work serves as a beacon, guiding us towards more sustainable and efficient water management practices. The energy sector, in particular, stands to benefit greatly from these advancements, as reduced water loss translates to lower energy consumption and operational costs. The journey towards a more water-secure world begins with understanding and addressing the losses in our internal water supply networks, and Sahakyan’s research is a significant step in that direction.