The City of Ann Arbor has nearly 500 miles of underground pipes that distribute clean, safe drinking water to customers everyday. It is critical to periodically check the condition of this distribution system to ensure that adequate quantity and quality of water can delivered to customers both now and in the future.
In July 2008, the City kicked off a project to update the Drinking Water Distribution System Master Plan and Hydraulic Model. This project will examine current and projected demands on the water system and update the city's computer hydraulic model. The model is used to predict water flow and pressure as there are changes in the system, such as high use from firefighting activities, or from population growth in different parts of the city.
This is the first time in which the city will integrate data from the Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) system into the model. The water use patterns that AMR data provides will help make the computer model and ultimately the Master Plan more specific and responsive to the demands for water across all residents and businesses in the city.
As part of the hydraulic model upgrade, it is necessary to evaluate the effects of fire flow on the system. To accomplish this, fire hydrants throughout the city were tested during the month of October 2008.
When the project is complete, the City will develop a prioritized list of capital improvement projects which will sustain the water distribution system into the future.
If you would like more information on this project, please contact Molly Wade, Water Quality Manager, at (734) 996-3275.
Updated November 3, 2008
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