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ASSESSING AND PREVENTING THE SPREAD OF CONTAMINANTS IN A DRINKING WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
Citation:
Garner, L. M., R C. Haught*, J A. Goodrich*, J G. Herrmann*, S. Panguluri, R. Krishnan, C Patterson*, R M. Clark*, AND W. M. Grayman. ASSESSING AND PREVENTING THE SPREAD OF CONTAMINANTS IN A DRINKING WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM. Presented at EPA Science Forum 2003: Partering to Protect Human Health & the Environment, Washington, DC, 5/6-7/2003.
Description:
Remote monitoring data, field studies, and the modeling software ? EPANET, can be used by drinking water utilities and consulting engineers to predict flow dynamics and information on the spatial distribution and concentration of contaminants in a drinking water system. A field study was conducted by EPA based on simulations and a detailed understanding of a particular distribution system configuration. A food additive was used as the tracer and off-the-shelf equipment was employed in following the flows and tracer concentrations for two different situations. The two situations represented the tracer placed in a local line (Run 1), and the tracer placed in a larger transmission line (Run 2).
The results of this study have provided the platform upon which additional research can be launched. These results can be applied to other related areas of needed investigation: distribution system design; geographic variations in distribution systems; summer vs winter system demands. They will help in understanding the flows in industrial/commercial, residential and other types of settings and locations. Future research related to distribution systems is needed in the areas of: detecting and monitoring contaminants, managing flows, determining sources, identifying impacts, and maintaining system operations.