PhD: “More” Intelligent Management of WDSs for Improving water Quality (MIMIQ)

Code	i3WaterSDC13
Host Institution	UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI CASSINO E DEL LAZIO MERIDIONALE Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering
Location	CASSINO Postcode 03043 Italy
Supervisor(s)	Main Supervisor: Dr Angelo Leopardi (UNICAS, Italy) Co-supervisor: Dr Claudia Quintiliani (BW, The Netherlands) Industrial Mentor – Experts: Mr Tony Esposito (GORI, Italy)
Research Field	Hydraulics, Artificial Intelligence
Contract type	Fixed term contract
Application Deadline	september 30th, 2026

Description

Research Objectives

The main research goal of iWaterS is to provide, for the first time, rational analyses and explainable intelligent decision support of WDS to increase resilience to day-to-day incidents and to extreme events in the context of climate change such as floods or droughts, through new interdisciplinary and integral approaches for exploiting datasets (on-line, off-line), intelligent models (data-driven, numerical) and simulation results (digital twins, multiagent systems).

The specific research objective of this offer is to develop intelligent hydraulic modelling and optimisation methods that improve calibration, water demand estimation and water quality management in drinking water distribution systems.

The candidate will contribute with the following subobjectives:

Objectives: 1). Formulate mathematical models and algorithms to optimize the operation of valves within DMA’s to minimize the risk of water quality deterioration. Multiple water quality factors will be taken into account. 2). Evaluation and comparison of valves operational strategies to improve water quality in real-world districtualized WDNs.

Expected Results: 1) Development of innovative optimization models incorporating water quality factors and valve operation variables. 2) Provide practical guidelines and tools for water utilities to optimize valve settings.