System of Performance indicators for Sustainable Management and Energetic Optimization in Pressurized Water Networks

This paper proposes a system of energy performance indicators for the comprehensive assessment of water distribution networks, framed within urban water infrastructure governance, where energy efficiency is a critical element for sustainable service provision. The framework combines global efficiency metrics with a detailed characterisation of specific energy losses, enabling a structured and transparent evaluation of how energy is consumed and dissipated in pressurised networks. The proposed indicators quantify energy consumption relative to the supplied volume and allocate losses to friction, leakage, excess pressure and pumping station inefficiencies. Ideal reference values and achievable target scenarios are incorporated to contextualise observed performance, enabling the identification of efficiency gaps and the definition of realistic improvement margins that can inform planning and regulatory processes. Indicators such as manageable topographic energy and the Energy Efficiency Index (EEI) provide decision-support tools to assess efficiency levels and the effectiveness of management measures. The methodology supports energy audits, prioritisation of interventions and evidence-based planning, promoting sustainable and resilient water supply services under increasing energy and climate pressures.