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Research Challenges in Water Infrastructure Condition Assessment, Rehabilitation and System Optimization – The U.S. Perspective
Citation:
YANG, Y. J. Research Challenges in Water Infrastructure Condition Assessment, Rehabilitation and System Optimization – The U.S. Perspective. Presented at USEPA/CHINA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DRINKING WATER WORKSHOP, BEIJING, CHINA, April 07 - 10, 2008.
Impact/Purpose:
to present information
Description:
This presentation first provides an overview of U.S.EPA research activities on water infrastructure condition assessment, system rehabilitation, and asset management. It then describes in detail specific activities in pipe leak detection, water conservation and the advanced water concepts. These activities, a part of the U.S. EPA 21st Century Sustainable Water Infrastructure research program, aim to manage the aging water infrastructure (drinking water, wastewater and storm water), reduce water loss and water quality deterioration in pipes, and improve system economics and sustainability using integrated infrastructure management. In the leak detection, advanced detection of pipe leaks and vulnerable pipe sections are developed using acoustic, conductivity, electromagnetic sensors with assistance from physical network modeling. The development will reduce the current water loss rate of up to 20-40% in aged distribution network and to prevent the associated water quality deteriorations. In the advanced water concept research, innovative asset operation and management methods are investigated such as dual distribution systems, decentralized treatment-distribution and collection-treatment systems, and operation optimization. The presentation will also describe the research challenges and collaboration opportunities.