Sensor placement and optimization criteria dependencies in a water distribution system

A water distribution system was analyzed for optimal sensor placement based on different intrusion scenarios and optimization criteria. The spatial distributions of the selected sensor networks were analyzed and compared using a geographic information system to determine spatial trends in sensor placement. Frequency, average nearest neighbor, and spatial autocorrelation analyses indicated the different intrusion scenarios and optimization criteria created networks with sensors in similar locations and with the same placement order, particularly for the first few sensors placed. Thus, sensor networks based on different optimization criteria and attack scenarios are expected to offer similar protection to the water distribution system. The relationship between sensor location and water demand was also analyzed using a geographic information system and a chi-square analysis. Sensor locations selected by minimizing the volume of consumed contaminated water or minimizing the population affected are likely to coincide with network nodes with a high reachable average demand. Alternatively, sensor locations selected by maximizing the detection likelihood are likely to coincide with network nodes with a low reachable average demand.