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The use of optimization techniques in the design of water supply systems has advanced over the years. However, complexity of these algorithms has prevented its general use in practice. In this study an algorithm was developed for the optimal design of pumped water mains including determination of number, capacity and location of required pumping stations, applying a dynamic programming algorithm. The pipeline is divided in sections with a probable pumping station at the beginning of each section. The algorithm calculates capital and energy costs for each possible diameter for every section. The chosen alternative is the one with minimum total cost. To verify the proposed algorithm a case of the literature optimized with a model of Ant Colony was tested which produced similar results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optimizing the design of water supply networks systems has advanced over recent years. Despite this advance, the programming complexity of these algorithms has prevented these techniques from being settled in the practical field. To date, the design of supply networks remains dependent on the experience of the designer. Two tools have been identified in Latin America to find the optimal design: ROKO, elaborated by CIH of CUJAE in Cuba and Lenhsnet, developed by the Laboratory for Energy Efficiency of UFPB in Brazil. The objective of this research is a comparative analysis of the optimal design provided by these tools, in order to determine which one offers better results using several indicators: costs of pipelines, energy costs and homogeneity of the network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]