• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
• /
• v.57 no.10
• /
• pp.711-723
• /
• 2024

Water distribution systems are important large-scale social infrastructure facilities for maintaining human society. Large-scale social infrastructure facilities are increasing due to urbanization and industrialization. However, one of the problems caused by the progress of urbanization and industrialization is carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions. In this study, a Life Cycle Carbon Emission Analysis (LCCEA) model was proposed to analyze the amount of CO₂ generated during the life cycle of water distribution systems, such as installation, maintenance, and repair. Based on the proposed LCCEA model, low-carbon optimal design was performed and compared with cost-optimal design. As a result of applying the LCCEA model to domestic and international water distribution systems, the low-carbon optimal design showed a decrease in total and annual CO₂ emissions compared to the cost-optimal design. In addition, when CO₂ emissions were converted to costs and compared, the low-carbon optimal design showed better results in terms of cost. The LCCEA model can be applied to various water distribution systems as well as domestic and international water supply networks used in this study, and it will show good results in the design and operation of water distribution systems.