Network Analysis of Water Distribution System in Urban Areas Using EPANET 2.2 Software

Hocine Lakhdari; Andrei-Mugur Georgescu

doi:10.2478/mmce-2026-0007

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Network Analysis of Water Distribution System in Urban Areas Using EPANET 2.2 Software

Modelling in Civil and Environmental Engineering

Volume 21 (2026): Issue 1 (January 2026)

By: Hocine Lakhdari and Andrei-Mugur Georgescu

Open Access

|Sep 2026

Abstract

This study evaluates the hydraulic performance of the water distribution network of the Municipality of Oradea, Romania, using EPANET 2.2. A hydraulic model consisting of 270 pipes, 260 junction nodes, pumping stations, and storage reservoirs was developed to assess the operational behavior of the network. Two hydraulic simulation approaches were applied: Demand Driven Analysis (DDA) and Pressure Driven Analysis (PDA). The comparison between these approaches aimed to investigate the influence of pressure-dependent demand on network performance and to determine the suitability of each method for hydraulic assessment.

The hydraulic performance of the system was evaluated using key indicators including nodal pressure, pipe flow velocity, pressure reliability, and demand satisfaction. The simulation results showed that the network generally operates within acceptable hydraulic limits. Pressure values remained sufficient to satisfy consumer demands, while pipe flow velocities were found to be consistent with the recommendations of European standard EN 805 and Romanian standard NP 133-2022. The comparative analysis demonstrated that Pressure Driven Analysis (PDA) provides a more realistic representation of network behavior under variable pressure conditions by accounting for pressure-dependent demand variations. The results confirm the applicability of EPANET 2.2 as an effective tool for simulating hydraulic systems and demonstrate the advantages of PDA for evaluating the operational performance of urban water distribution systems under realistic operating conditions.

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Articles in this issue

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/mmce-2026-0007 | Journal eISSN: 2784-1391 (formerly 2066-6934) | Journal ISSN: 2066-6934

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Language: English

Page range: 1 - 25

Published on: Sep 11, 2026

Published by: Technical University of Civil Engineering of Bucharest

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

Publication frequency: Volume open

Keywords:

Water distribution network,

EPANET 2.2,

hydraulic simulation,

demand driven analysis,

pressure driven analysis

Related subjects:

Engineering,

Introductions and overviews,

Engineering, other

© 2026 Hocine Lakhdari, Andrei-Mugur Georgescu, published by Technical University of Civil Engineering of Bucharest
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Volume 21 (2026): Issue 1 (January 2026)