Relationship Between the Maximum Hourly Coefficient and the Design of Drinking Water Tanks in Andean Areas

Today, population growth and climate change have created major challenges to ensure a continuous supply of drinking water. Reservoir tanks regulate pressure and store drinking water according to variations in consumption. Therefore, the objective is to analyze the influence of the maximum hourly coefficient in the design of reserve tanks in the Guamote and Guano cantons. In the methodology, the maximum hourly coefficients of previous studies were validated, characteristics of the distribution networks and their tanks were compiled, drinking water levels were recorded at three times for 7 days, and finally, the design of the volume of the reserve tanks was carried out. In Guamote, water levels in the tanks range from a minimum of 38% to a maximum of 90%, while in Guano the levels are maintained at 100%, with an overflow system that evacuates excess water. In Guamote, the San Juan Bajo, San Juan Alto and Carapungo networks require regulation volumes of 257 m³, 102 m³ and 61 m³, respectively. In Guano, the regulation volumes required for the La Inmaculada, Lluishi and Barrios Altos networks are 155 m³, 317 m³ and 96 m³, respectively. The results indicate that higher maximum hourly coefficients are associated with higher consumption volumes, therefore, a greater volume is required in the reserve tanks.