  This paper presents a novel methodology to automatically split a water
distribution system (WDS) into self-adapting district metered areas (DMAs) of
different size. Complex networks theory is used to propose a novel multiscale
network layout made by landmark and key nodes for the water supply plus the
hyper-links representing the connection between them. The proposed multiscale
layout partitioning was tested on a real medium-size water distribution
network. This is shown to naturally support further DMA aggregation /
disaggregation operations with the direct benefit of providing a better dynamic
system control and superior efficient water management than static DMA
configurations, particularly in the case of abnormal functioning conditions.
The proposed tool gives the possibility to automatically define a dynamic
partitioning of WDSs according to spatial and temporal water demand
variability, ensuring an efficient, sustainable and low-cost management of the
system whilst simultaneously preserving the hydraulic performance of the WDS.
