Multi-Factorial Risk Mapping for the Safety and Resilience of Critical Infrastructure in Urban Areas

Izabela Piegdoń (), Barbara Tchórzewska-Cieślak, Krzysztof Boryczko and Mohamed Eid
Additional contact information
Izabela Piegdoń: Department of Water Supply and Sewerage Systems, Faculty of Civil, Environmental Engineering and Architecture, Rzeszow University of Technology, Al. Powstańców Warszawy 6, 35-959 Rzeszów, Poland
Barbara Tchórzewska-Cieślak: Department of Water Supply and Sewerage Systems, Faculty of Civil, Environmental Engineering and Architecture, Rzeszow University of Technology, Al. Powstańców Warszawy 6, 35-959 Rzeszów, Poland
Krzysztof Boryczko: Department of Water Supply and Sewerage Systems, Faculty of Civil, Environmental Engineering and Architecture, Rzeszow University of Technology, Al. Powstańców Warszawy 6, 35-959 Rzeszów, Poland
Mohamed Eid: National Institute of Applied Sciences of Rouen-LMN, INSA-Rouen, 685 Avenue de l’Université-BP 08, 76801 St. Etienne du Rouvray, France

Resources, 2025, vol. 14, issue 9, 1-21

Abstract: The increasing complexity of Water Distribution Systems (WDSs), driven by urbanization, climate change, and aging infrastructure, necessitates robust methods for risk assessment and visualization. This study presents a practical methodology for mapping the risk of water supply disruption or reduction using five parameters: Probability (P), Consequences (C), Water Pipe category (WP), Inhabitants exposed (I), and response Efficiency (E). The approach enables comprehensive analysis of the risk associated with specific pipeline segments within an Analyzed Supply Area (ASA). The method integrates statistical and operational data, allowing utilities to evaluate vulnerability, identify Critical Infrastructure (CI), and prioritize maintenance. The investigation conducted during the study revealed that cast iron and steel pipes with large diameters (e.g., 400 mm) show the highest failure probability and impact. Despite a calculated risk value (r LW = 80), effective response measures—including specialized repair teams and equipment—kept the risk acceptable. The results demonstrate that historical failure and response data enhance risk identification and management. The generated risk maps facilitate spatial visualization of high-risk areas, supporting decision-making processes, renovation planning, and emergency preparedness. Integration with GIS tools, including GeoMedia and Google Earth programmes, enables dynamic map creation and simulation of response scenarios. The methodology is scalable and adaptable to any WDS, and potentially to other municipal systems such as wastewater and heating networks. By accounting for both technical and social dimensions of risk, the method supports improved water safety planning and infrastructure resilience. Future development should include real-time data integration and climate-related risk scenarios to increase predictive accuracy and system adaptability.

Keywords: risk maps; safety management; system reliability; water distribution subsystem (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9276/14/9/146/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9276/14/9/146/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jresou:v:14:y:2025:i:9:p:146-:d:1753420

Access Statistics for this article

Resources is currently edited by Ms. Donchian Ma

More articles in Resources from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().