Hazardous events such as contamination events in water distribution systems (WDS), similar to other natural or man-made disasters can cause distress in the affected population and requires fast handling of authorities and the respective water utility manager. While numerous studies have been conducted on the reactions of various stakeholders during disastrous events using agent based modelling, the social background and related psychological states of different society groups have not been considered.

This study utilizes recent observations during the COVID-19 pandemic from social science and psychology and implements them in an agent based modelling framework. Furthermore, various analogies are drawn between the global pandemic and a deterioration of water quality in a water network and the reaction of consumers and the response of the utility manager are explored and investigated. A hydraulic and water quality model is established and coupled with an agent based model to explore the consumers reactions to the event based on their social backgrounds, location in the water network and symptoms from possibly consuming contaminated water by utilizing fuzzy logic. The utility manager agent has various possibilities of reacting to the event e.g. placing mobile equipment to monitor the water quality, warning consumers via social media and declaring endangered and contamination free zones in the network. This clustering of the network is conducted utilizing graph theory while considering various flow directions and patterns and inspired by “contact tracing” which is an efficient method to curb the spread of corona virus used by many health authorities. First results suggest that considering the social background of consumers is significant regarding their reaction to a water quality event and that the timely spread of information about contaminated and danger-free parts of the network can help preventing distress amongst the population and locate the source of the contamination more quickly.

Access the Conference Proceedings Paper on ASCE Library 

Hazardous events such as contamination events in water distribution systems (WDS), similar to other natural or man-made disasters can cause distress in the affected population and requires fast handling of authorities and the respective water utility manager. While numerous studies have been conducted on the reactions of various stakeholders during disastrous events using agent based modelling, the social background and related psychological states of different society groups have not been considered.

This study utilizes recent observations during the COVID-19 pandemic from social science and psychology and implements them in an agent based modelling framework. Furthermore, various analogies are drawn between the global pandemic and a deterioration of water quality in a water network and the reaction of consumers and the response of the utility manager are explored and investigated. A hydraulic and water quality model is established and coupled with an agent based model to explore the consumers reactions to the event based on their social backgrounds, location in the water network and symptoms from possibly consuming contaminated water by utilizing fuzzy logic. The utility manager agent has various possibilities of reacting to the event e.g. placing mobile equipment to monitor the water quality, warning consumers via social media and declaring endangered and contamination free zones in the network. This clustering of the network is conducted utilizing graph theory while considering various flow directions and patterns and inspired by “contact tracing” which is an efficient method to curb the spread of corona virus used by many health authorities. First results suggest that considering the social background of consumers is significant regarding their reaction to a water quality event and that the timely spread of information about contaminated and danger-free parts of the network can help preventing distress amongst the population and locate the source of the contamination more quickly.

**[Access the Conference Proceedings Paper on ASCE Library](https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784483466.087)** 

Considering COVID-19 pandemic reaction and response analogies in an agent based modelling framework for water distribution system contamination response

Created in 1999, the Environmental & Water Resources Institute (EWRI) is the recognized leader within ASCE for the integration of technical expertise and public policy in the planning, design, construction, and operation of environmentally sound and sustainable infrastructure impacting air, land and water resources.

[Paper Proceedings](https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784483466)

Conference DOI: https://doi.org/10.26226/m.6329c39b68fb0e00131f77d2