Journal of Advances in Environmental Health Research

Journal of Advances in Environmental Health Research

Optimizing Reservoirs to Provide Water in Times of Crisis, With Emphasis on the Reuse of Treated Wastewater in Different Uses

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Mohammad Reza Shamsaeifar 1
Nasser Mehrdadi 2
Ghulamreza Nabi Bidhandi 2
1 Kish International Campus, University of Tehran, Kish, Iran
2 Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Environment, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
10.34172/jaehr.1379
Abstract
Background: Natural disasters, such as earthquakes, can disrupt water distribution systems, leading to prolonged water shortages and associated crises. Tehran, with its high seismic risk, necessitates robust emergency water management solutions to ensure adequate potable and non-potable water supply during critical conditions.
Methods: Using GIS and WaterGEMS software, we evaluated the design and placement of emergency water reservoirs in ASP Town, Shahriar. Hydraulic modeling was conducted to optimize the piping, pressure, and flow dynamics for potable water supply under emergency conditions. Additionally, non-potable water reservoirs utilizing treated wastewater were designed for irrigation and fire suppression, incorporating solar-powered pumping systems to ensure energy efficiency.
Results: A 50 m3 cylindrical steel emergency tank, connected to the urban water network, was proposed to provide 3 L of potable water per person for three days in a crisis. The system includes solar panels, a 250-W pump, and a hydraulic shut-off valve to maintain water quality and availability. For non-potable uses, a wastewater reservoir with a variable-speed pumping station supports irrigation and supplies 12 fire hydrants, meeting pressure and flow requirements during emergencies.
Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of integrated water management strategies, including solar-powered systems and treated wastewater reuse, to improve resilience against natural disasters. The proposed designs ensure sustainable water supply and effective crisis management for drinking and non-potable applications in high-risk urban areas.
Keywords
Emergency water reservoir
Emergency situation
Solar energy
Wastewater treatment plant

Subjects

  1. de Albuquerque NL, da Silva LB, Alencar MH, de Almeida AT. A multicriteria decision model to improve emergency preparedness: locating-allocating urban shelters against floods. Int J Disaster Risk Reduct. 2024;111:104695. doi: 1016/j.ijdrr.2024.104695.
  2. Mehrdadi N, Nabi Bidhendi G, Emami A. The role of emergency water reservoirs as new generation water reservoirs in quantitative and qualitative distribution of water distribution networks in critical situations. Journal of Emergency Management. 2020;9(2):113-25. [Persian].
  3. Kenny A, Radic O. Crisis Management in Swedish Banks: Adaptation and Pre-Planning [dissertation]. Lund University Publications; 2024.
  4. Fryer J. The Complete Guide to Water Storage: How to Use Gray Water and Rainwater Systems, Rain Barrels, Tanks, and Other Water Storage Techniques for Household and Emergency Use. Atlantic Publishing Company; 2012.
  5. Yazdani A, Otoo RA, Jeffrey P. Resilience enhancing expansion strategies for water distribution systems: a network theory approach. Environ Model Softw. 2011;26(12):1574-82. doi: 1016/j.envsoft.2011.07.016.
  6. Alavi SM, Masoud M, Karimi A. Urban resilience: restoration analysis of urban water infrastructures in a potential earthquake (case study: region 2 of Tehran municipality). Human Geography Research. 2020;52(2):533-50. doi: 22059/jhgr.2018.233691.1007468. [Persian].
  7. Colombo JI, Almazán JL. Simplified 3D model for the uplift analysis of liquid storage tanks. Eng Struct. 2019;196:109278. doi: 1016/j.engstruct.2019.109278.
  8. Szpak D, Tchórzewska-Cieślak B, Stręk M. A new method of obtaining water from water storage tanks in a crisis situation using renewable energy. Energies. 2024;17(4):874. doi: 3390/en17040874.
  9. Hatami Bargh F, Omid Tabrizi F. Seismic response of rectangular and cylindrical concrete tanks under near-fault and far-fault ground motions. Asas Journal. 2022;23(65):5-14. [Persian].
  10. Abdolazimi H, Shahinifar H, Noroozi H, Emtehani M. Site selection of emergency drinking water supply tanks in post-earthquake conditions, a case study of Shiraz. J Nat Environ Hazards. 2022;11(32):129-48. doi: 22111/jneh.2022.37402.1762. [Persian].
  11. Bernhardsen T. Geographic Information Systems: An Introduction. John Wiley & Sons; 2002.
  12. Chandel SS, Nagaraju Naik M, Chandel R. Review of solar photovoltaic water pumping system technology for irrigation and community drinking water supplies. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. 2015;49:1084-99. doi: 1016/j.rser.2015.04.083.
  13. Haj Malek S, Forghani MA, Sadeghi ZA. Spatial-spatial dispersion of drinking water distribution stations in emergency situations (case study: region 2 of Kerman city). Urban Area Studies. 2016;4(1):21-37.
  14. Kendra J, Nigg J. Engineering and the social sciences: historical evolution of interdisciplinary approaches to hazard and disaster. Eng Stud. 2014;6(3):134-58. doi: 1080/19378629.2014.978335.
  15. Salehi M. Global water shortage and potable water safety; today’s concern and tomorrow’s crisis. Environ Int. 2022;158:106936. doi: 1016/j.envint.2021.106936.
  16. Ghasemi H, Otsuka H, Cooper JD, Nakajima H. Aftermath of the Kobe earthquake. Public Roads. 1996;60(2):17-22.
  17. Faqihi M, Iman Mirbagheri. Introducing different crisis management models in water and wastewater networks and the role of passive defense. 3rd Conference on crisis management in the construction industry, life lines and underground structures papers; 11 October 2012; Mashhad.
Journal of Advances in Environmental Health Research
Volume 13, Issue 1
Winter 2025
Pages 51-59