The link between the contamination of distributed
water and the occurrence of operations and maintenance
(O&M) activities in distribution systems (DSs)
has mostly been based on specific cases resulting in
waterborne disease outbreaks. It has also been possible
to know the fraction of reported outbreaks, particularly
in the United States, that can be attributed to DS deficiencies.
However, without being in a situation of disease
outbreak, water utilities can be faced with DS
water quality variations such as the occurrence of coliform-
positive samples, occurrences of heterotrophic
plate count bacteria, and customer complaints. No
specific study of the fraction of these water quality
events originating from DS activities has been compiled.
This research, using a data integration approach
based on the simultaneous study of different types of
historical databases, is a first step toward verifying and
establishing such a link. The analysis shows that O&M
activities can be related to water quality variations in
various proportions, and some of the main causes of
water quality changes are identified (e.g., pipe replacement
and valve and hydrant operation). Water suppliers
can apply this concept of data integration to assess
their own systems. Includes 21 references, tables, figures.
| Edition : | Vol. 99 - No. 11 |
| File Size : | 1
file
, 780 KB |
| Note : | This product is unavailable in Ukraine, Russia, Belarus |
| Number of Pages : | 15 |
| Published : | 11/01/2007 |
