5. Conclusion

Drinking water networks represent a considerable and precious asset whose sustainability must be ensured to maintain the system performance required to satisfy user needs and meet regulatory obligations. To achieve this objective, multi-objective asset management must be implemented, taking into account the specific characteristics of these assets, particularly their underground location, which makes them difficult to observe. To achieve this, decision-support tools have been developed, based on in-depth knowledge of the network, its operation, its environment and the faults it suffers. They combine pipe failure prediction models (sometimes using artificial intelligence techniques) and multi-criteria service performance analysis methods to prioritize pipe sections that are candidates for renewal. The results produced by these tools can be used to rationally guide the construction of pipe...