Surface water systems may be vulnerable to sudden
changes in source water quality as a result of
accidental, intentional, or natural contamination
from a variety of sources, including spills and storms.
Utilities must respond quickly to these events in order
to determine appropriate changes in treatment strategy
and protect consumers from potentially harmful contaminants.
Early warning monitoring systems can facilitate
rapid response by using detection, event characterization,
and communication to gather the information
necessary to make sound decisions.
This article discusses the characteristics, components,
and design of early warning systems as well as
existing and developing monitoring methods and still-needed
research. Case studies provide snapshots of
advanced early warning monitoring systems from
around the world, in particular Europe and Asia. With
a few notable exceptions, US experience with advanced
early warning monitoring systems is limited, and most
water supplies have little or no early warning system in
place.
When a contamination event occurs, time is of the
essence to protect supplies and safeguard consumer
health. Early warning monitoring not only cuts
response time but also provides a cost-effective mechanism
for reducing risks, boosting public confidence in
the water utility, and promoting good practice and
careful reporting on the part of dischargers. Using the
information and framework provided here, utilities can
begin developing their own early warning monitoring
systems, thus ensuring that when water quality is
endangered, they won't be caught flatfooted. Includes 30 references, tables, figures.
| Edition : | Vol. 95 - No. 11 |
| File Size : | 1
file
, 710 KB |
| Note : | This product is unavailable in Ukraine, Russia, Belarus |
| Number of Pages : | 15 |
| Published : | 11/01/2003 |
