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THE EFFECTS OF SCALE, DISTANCE AND TIME ON DRINKING WATER SYSTEMS RESEARCH
Citation:
Button, C. E. AND M R. Schock*. THE EFFECTS OF SCALE, DISTANCE AND TIME ON DRINKING WATER SYSTEMS RESEARCH. Presented at The 98th Association of American Geographers Annual Meeting, Los Angeles, CA, 03/19-23/2002.
Description:
This presentation introduces and describes many components related to what generates and/or controls the concentrations of metals and other constituents in drinking water. Emphasis is placed on ways in which sampling protocol affects apparent levels of constituents, and the magnitude of temporal and spatial variability existing in both municipal and private drinking water supplies. Examples from water quality studies will be presented that demonstrate how generalizations must be kept to a minimum, and how data input into a geographic information system for interpretation and evaluation must be carefully analyzed and screened to ensure accuracy. Examples will be presented that demonstrate how apparently significant trends and assessments of exposures or occurrences turn out to be merely artifacts of critical (yet subtle) inconsistencies or errors in the planning and execution of the sample collection process, or inconsistencies caused by the fact that regulatory (and not research) requirements govern the origin of the data.