Evaluation of uncertainties in measurements

Abstract

Assessing uncertainties is done systematically in almost all hard sciences research fields, and in more and more numerous engineering domains. In the field of urban water systems, this is still not a systematic and common practice. Therefore, one of the aims of PREPARED is to promote, to contribute and to exemplify how to systematically evaluate uncertainties in urban water systems. Assessing uncertainties is necessary: - to better quantify and to improve the quality of measurements; - to better contribute in modelling, by accounting for uncertainties in model structures, inputs, parameters and outputs; - to better help in decision making. This PREPARED deliverable includes: - an introduction to the two internationally recognized standards for assessment of measurement uncertainties (GUM Law of Propagation of uncertainties and the Monte Carlo method); - three examples of application, with various levels of complexity, showing in detail how to apply the above methods for uncertainty assessment. The examples deal with sewer systems, but they can be easily transposed to other components of urban water systems. - references to additional documents.