Grantee Research Project Results

Water Conservation and Water Quality: Understanding the Impacts of New Technologies and New Operational Strategies

EPA Grant Number: R836880
Title: Water Conservation and Water Quality: Understanding the Impacts of New Technologies and New Operational Strategies
Investigators: Gurian, Patrick , Haas, Charles N. , Olson, Mira S. , Summers, R. Scott , Clancy, Jennifer , Masters, Sheldon , Treado, Steven
Current Investigators: Gurian, Patrick , Olson, Mira S. , Haas, Charles N. , Summers, R. Scott , Clancy, Jennifer , Masters, Sheldon , Treado, Steven
Institution: Drexel University , University of Colorado at Boulder , Pennsylvania State University
Current Institution: Drexel University , Pennsylvania State University , University of Colorado at Boulder
EPA Project Officer: Packard, Benjamin H
Project Period: October 1, 2016 through September 30, 2019 (Extended to September 30, 2021)
Project Amount: $1,989,000
RFA: National Priorities: Impacts of Water Conservation on Water Quality in Premise Plumbing and Water Distribution Systems (2016) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Ecological Indicators/Assessment/Restoration , Climate Change , Water

Objective:

The project will combine literature information with novel experimental results to develop and validate predictive models of the risk of failing to meet water quality goals for premise plumbing. The models will be encoded in a web-based decision support tool usable by facilities managers and utility personnel to identify high risk conditions for premise plumbing water quality and potential remedial actions.

Approach:

After a literature review experimental levels and factors will be finalized. The large number of factors of interest and expense of experiments dictates the use of a fractionalized experimental design with quasirandom sampling used to identify specific experimental conditions. Logistic and continuous outcome regression models will be used to develop risk models.

Expected Results:

The project will produce a database of premise plumbing conditions (water age, disinfectant type and concentration, flow rates, etc.) and concentrations of opportunistic pathogens, disinfection byproducts, and lead. The database will inform the development of statistical models of water quality that will form the computational engine of a web-based decision support tool for managing water quality in premise plumbing.

Publications and Presentations:

Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 42 publications for this project

Journal Articles:

Journal Articles have been submitted on this project: View all 7 journal articles for this project

Supplemental Keywords:

quantitative microbial risk assessment, Legionella, green buildings

Relevant Websites:

Team Website:
Building Water Exit

Paper and presentations:
ResearchGate: Building Water Quality Exit

Progress and Final Reports:

The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.