A reliable water distribution network (WDN) can provide an adequate supply service to customers under both normal and abnormal working conditions. The WDN reliability analysis, therefore, is a keystone to improve the supply service efficiency. Strategies for reliability analysis are usually proved on small WDNs, which do not compare with large real complex systems in terms of number of water tanks, pressure reduction valves, variable speed pumps, controlled devices and possible alternative water supply schemes. The topological changes due to pipeline interruptions impact on emptying–filling of water tanks and network pressure status. This work proposes a two-level procedure for mechanical reliability assessment, suited for large real WDNs. It leverages a path/connectivity-based approach to set up reliability indicators for global-level analysis and local screening of the most critical scenarios. The employed advanced hydraulic model includes the automatic detection of topological changes and the robust modelling of water level in tanks using the generalized global gradient algorithm. The extended period simulation enables the reliability assessment of alternative water supply schemes and the sensitivity of tanks and controlled devices to single failure events. The procedure is demonstrated on a real complex network, being consistent with the ongoing digital transition in the WDN management sector.

可靠的配水网络 (WDN) 可以在正常和异常工作条件下为客户提供充足的供水服务。因此，WDN 可靠性分析是提高供电服务效率的基石。可靠性分析策略通常在小型 WDN 上得到证明，在水箱、减压阀、变速泵、受控设备和可能的替代供水方案的数量方面，它们无法与大型实际复杂系统相比。管道中断引起的拓扑变化对水箱的排空-注水和管网压力状态有影响。这项工作提出了一种适用于大型实际 WDN 的机械可靠性评估的两级程序。它利用基于路径/连接性的方法来设置可靠性指标，用于全球层面的分析和最关键场景的本地筛选。采用的先进水力模型包括拓扑变化的自动检测和使用广义全局梯度算法对水箱中的水位进行稳健建模。延长周期模拟能够评估替代供水方案的可靠性以及水箱和受控设备对单一故障事件的敏感性。该程序在一个真实复杂的网络上进行演示，与 WDN 管理部门正在进行的数字化转型相一致。采用的先进水力模型包括拓扑变化的自动检测和使用广义全局梯度算法对水箱中的水位进行稳健建模。延长周期模拟能够评估替代供水方案的可靠性以及水箱和受控设备对单一故障事件的敏感性。该程序在一个真实复杂的网络上进行演示，与 WDN 管理部门正在进行的数字化转型相一致。采用的先进水力模型包括拓扑变化的自动检测和使用广义全局梯度算法对水箱中的水位进行稳健建模。延长周期模拟能够评估替代供水方案的可靠性以及水箱和受控设备对单一故障事件的敏感性。该程序在一个真实复杂的网络上进行演示，与 WDN 管理部门正在进行的数字化转型相一致。