We determined a skeleton network with water supply distribution points that could provide a basic level of supply during an earthquake

Wellington Water Supply Resilience Study

The Wellington region sits on the interface of the Australian and Pacific tectonic plates and is always threatened by the possibility of a large earthquake: the Wellington fault has a one in ten chance of moving in the next 100 years, which would cause a magnitude 7.5 or greater earthquake.

Wellington Water engaged us to complete a resilience study. They wanted to identify critical areas within the network and determine a skeleton network with water supply distribution points that could provide a basic level of supply during an emergency event. 

We developed innovative sets of algorithms which analyzed the road or walkway network and found the shortest steepness-adjusted route between each property and all distribution points. Another algorithm was then created to determine the best route to connect reservoirs with critical users and distribution points. We identified approximately 400 kilometres of critical networks, with approximately 240 kilometres requiring seismic resilience upgrades.

Our study successfully addressed community outcomes of how and where to provide emergency access to a water supply within a reasonable timeframe after a major earthquake.