Water distribution networks (RDAs) have pressure energy that is dissipated using pressure reducing valves (PRVs). This energy can be recovered by pumps working as turbines (BFTs) that have low cost and high availability in the market. The selection of the appropriate pump must take into account its best efficiency point (MPE), and its off-design operation (for the entire operating range). In this article, a combination of methods (MPE + off-design) was validated and applied to select the proper pump to operate in a real RDA. The replacement of two VRPs by BFTs operating at constant speed was investigated. BFT1 was technically better than BFT2, which presented negative output pressure, impairing the pressure of the RDA Nodes. The best pump recovered 4,331 kWh/year, equivalent to a reduction of 1,732,400 gCO2/year (one car or three motorcycles), being able to serve approximately two houses
categorized as low income. The use of BFT is a viable alternative, since it is capable of recovering considerable energy. However, for your operation to be able to adequately control the pressure in an RDA, other operating strategies must be sought, such as variable speed operation.
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