Distribution system on‐line monitoring for detecting contamination and water quality changes

Abstract

Concerns about water quality and possible intentional contamination of water distribution systems are making on-line monitoring an increasingly important priority for many water utilities. The city of Ann Arbor (Mich.) evaluated different water quality monitoring parameters, tested multiple manufacturers' monitoring equipment, and evaluated how to effectively locate monitoring equipment within the distribution system to address these two concerns. A suite of modeling tools was used in this case study. Total chlorine, ultraviolet absorbance at 254 nm, conductivity, and dissolved oxygen were selected for monitoring based on pilot testing. When balancing costs and benefits, four stations for monitoring water quality and four stations for monitoring contamination events were found to be sufficient for the city. Only one location was common between water quality and security sites, and the number of security monitors needed was not affected by system demands. It was confirmed that it is critical to minimize response time in order to mitigate the effects of a contamination event.

Protecting Water Supply Critical Infrastructure: An Overview

“…Little research has been devoted to real utility applications. Some examples of real utility applications include the work by Skadsen et al (2008) and Davis et al (2013). Davis et al (2013) analyze the robustness of sensor placement designs to changed conditions in 11 real and diverse water systems.…”

Design of smart sensors for real time drinking water quality monitoring and contamination detection in water distributed mains

“…The World Health Organization (WHO) [1] determined a set of standards and guidelines for the drinking water quality parameters. In order to prevent the spread of water borne diseases and to protect the public from drinking contaminated water, certain physical and chemical parameters must be monitored and tested on a regular basis.…”

“…Clean drinking water is a significant resource which is required to sustain life and plays a major role in the well-being of the human beings [1]. In the real time process, drinking water utilities and water supply to the consumer end taps at urban area face new challenges to safeguard water supplies from deliberate or inadvertent contamination.…”

Current Technologies For On-Line Monitoring of Drinking Water Distribution Systems

“…Some commercial systems have used routine off-line measurements in online mode and for real-time monitoring of drinking water distribution system (Skansen et al, 2008). These tests have been automated and integrated into a package that can be used as an early warning system.…”