Modifications of Optinet work Software for the Implementation of Advance Genetic Algorithm on Existing Water Distribution Network

EPANET, a widely used water distribution package was linked to OptiGa, a Visual Basic ActiveX control for implementation of genetic algorithm, through Visual Basic programming technique, to modify the computer software called OptiNetwork. OptiNetwork in its modifications, Overcome all the shortcomings of the Demonstration Program, which includes: the introduction of selecting options for advanced genetic algorithm parameters (Top mate; Roulette cost; Random; Tournament methods; and one point crossover; two points crossover; uniform crossover methods and random seed number), handling of a water distribution network up to 150 pipes, and the Provision of additional design parameters (pressure constrain, velocity constrain and diameter constrain). An existing water distribution network (Badaawa /Malali) was applied to the modified software, and found that the performance of the OptiNetwork software was compared with OptiDesigner (a commercial software package). The results obtained shows that the introduction of the advanced genetic parameters of OptiNetwork is justified. This is because, it has been able to improve the search method in terms of achieving “least cost” of the distribution networks.