GIS-Based Hydraulic Analysis and Redesign of Rural Water Distribution System: A Case Study

Water supply systems are essential infrastructure designed to deliver adequate quantity and pressure of water to meet consumer demands efficiently and sustainably. In rural regions, however, these systems often suffer from ageing infrastructure, uneven distribution, and insufficient service levels. Godumbare village, home to 565 residents, reflects such typical rural water challenges. Residents face irregular supply due to low pressures, outdated pipelines, and lack of proper hydraulic balance. A focused study was conducted to identify the root causes behind these shortcomings using field surveys and technical analysis. Key issues such as high head losses up to 77.13 m/km in ESR 1 and 65.82 m/km in ESR 2 and critically low-pressure heads as low as 0.72 m and 2.07 m respectively, were observed, especially in tail-end areas. Model Calibration through on- site measurements confirmed these findings, indicating the reliability of the diagnostic methods used. This paper demonstrates how a data-driven assessment can support targeted improvements in rural water distribution networks, enhancing long-term service delivery and equity.