Impact of raw water turbidity fluctuations on drinking water quality in a distribution  system

Gauthier, Vincent; Barbeau, Benoît; Trèmblay, Genevieve; Millette, Robert; Bernier, Anne-Marie

doi:10.1139/s03-026

Cited by 29 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…The utility of turbidity as a metric of microbial water quality stems from the assumption that as the concentration of suspended particles, such as clay and silt, increases in the water, so do the levels of microorganisms. How well the concentration of microorganisms in water may be correlated with changes in the concentration of larger particles and changes in turbidity is highly variable, depending on the conditions leading to the turbidity change (Gauthier 2003). Turbidity in surface waters generally increases after rainfall (Gauthier et al 2003; Atherholt et al 1998).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…How well the concentration of microorganisms in water may be correlated with changes in the concentration of larger particles and changes in turbidity is highly variable, depending on the conditions leading to the turbidity change (Gauthier 2003). Turbidity in surface waters generally increases after rainfall (Gauthier et al 2003; Atherholt et al 1998). However, a heavy rainfall following a period of drought may be more likely to produce runoff that will suspend microbial pathogens that are concentrated in fecal deposits near the shore into the water.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Drinking water turbidity and emergency department visits for gastrointestinal illness in Atlanta, 1993–2004

Tinker

Moe

Klein

et al. 2008

J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol

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Background The extent to which drinking water turbidity measurements indicate the risk of gastrointestinal illness is not well-understood. Despite major advances in drinking water treatment and delivery, infectious disease can still be transmitted through drinking water in the U.S., and it is important to have reliable indicators of microbial water quality to inform public health decisions. The objective of our study was to assess the relationship between gastrointestinal illness, quantified through emergency department visits, and drinking water quality, quantified as raw water and filtered water turbidity measured at the treatment plant. Methods We examined the relationship between turbidity levels of raw and filtered surface water measured at eight major drinking water treatment plants in the metropolitan area of Atlanta, Georgia, and over 240 000 emergency department visits for gastrointestinal illness during 1993–2004 among the population served by these plants. We fit Poisson time-series statistical regression models that included turbidity in a 21-day distributed lag and that controlled for meteorological factors and long-term time trends. Results For filtered water turbidity, the results were consistent with no association with emergency department visits for gastrointestinal illness. We observed a modest association between raw water turbidity and emergency department visits for gastrointestinal illness. This association was not observed for all treatment plants in plant-specific analyses. Conclusions Our results suggest that source water quality may contribute modestly to endemic gastrointestinal illness in the study area. The association between turbidity and emergency department visits for gastrointestinal illness was only observed when raw water turbidity was considered; filtered water turbidity may not serve as a reliable indicator of modest pathogen risk at all treatment plants.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Drinking water turbidity and emergency department visits for gastrointestinal illness in Atlanta, 1993–2004

Tinker

Moe

Klein

et al. 2008

J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol

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“…The water quality in the river is primarily affected by direct runoff from urban, rural, and livestock areas, wastewater from urban areas, combined sewer overflow during heavy rainfall (Åström et al, 2007), leakage from contaminated sites, and accidental spills from industries and vessels (Göransson et al, 2009). In addition, the inflow from Lake Vänern and the discharge from the different tributaries into the river have impact on the water quality.…”

Section: River Water Usagementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Suspended sediment, a major contributor to turbidity, is a potential contaminant carrier (Håkanson, 2006;Lick, 2009;Schoellhamer et al, 2007;Zonta et al, 2005), as well as being connected to bacterial impact and light suppression with effects on BOD, DO, and pH (Bhutiani and Khanna, 2007;Gauthier et al, 2003;Håkanson, 2006;Lawler et al, 2006).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Variation in turbidity with precipitation and flow in a regulated river system – river Göta Älv, SW Sweden

Göransson

Larson

Bendz

2013

Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci.

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Abstract. The turbidity variation in time and space is investigated in the downstream stretch of the river GötaÄlv in Sweden. The river is heavily regulated and carries the discharge from the largest fresh water lake in Sweden, Lake Vänern, to the outflow point in Göteborg Harbour on the Swedish west coast. The river is an important waterway and serves as a fresh-water supply for 700 000 users. Turbidity is utilised as a water quality indicator to ensure sufficient quality of the intake water to the treatment plant. The overall objective of the study was to investigate the influence of rainfall, surface runoff, and river water flow on the temporal and spatial variability of the turbidity in the regulated river system by employing statistical analysis of an extensive data set. A six year long time series of daily mean values on precipitation, discharge, and turbidity from six stations along the river were examined primarily through linear correlation and regression analysis, combined with nonparametric tests and analysis of variance. The analyses were performed on annual, monthly, and daily bases, establishing temporal patterns and dependences, including; seasonal changes, impacts from extreme events, influences from tributaries, and the spatial variation along the river. The results showed that there is no simple relationship between discharge, precipitation, and turbidity, mainly due to the complexity of the runoff process, the regulation of the river, and the effects of Lake Vänern and its large catchment area. For the river GötaÄlv, significant, positive correlations between turbidity, discharge, and precipitation could only be found during periods with high flow combined with heavy rainfall. Local precipitation does not seem to have any significant impact on the discharge in the main river, which is primarily governed by precipitation at catchment scale. The discharge from Lake Vänern determines the base level for the turbidity in the river, whereas local surface runoff and tributary discharge induced by rainfall govern the temporal variability in turbidity. Autocorrelation analysis indicates a temporal persistence in turbidity of about 10 days. The results also show that erosion along the main river, from the river bed and banks, is not a dominant contributor to the suspended sediment transport in the river under normal conditions. Further studies on the correlation between turbidity and suspended sediment transport and its relation to erosion processes are suggested.

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“…Celle-ci provient de différents mécanismes tels que : les propriétés de surface des microorganismes (par exemple les espèces Cryptosporidium et Mycobactérium), la formation d'agrégats microbiens (particules de charbon actif, biofilms), la résistance acquise par échange génétique et les relations d'endosymbiose avec des organismes supérieurs (BICHAI et al, 2008;GAGNON et al, 2005;GERBA et al, 2003;LECHEvALLIER et al, 1984;LEILEI et al, 2008;RUSSEL 1998;STEwART et al, 1990). Bien que l'idée d'une utilisation de la turbidité comme indicateur de contamination microbiologique demeure sujet à discussion (GAUTHIER et al, 2003;KISTEMANN et al, 2002), il n'en reste pas moins que ces paramètres physico-chimiques ne permettent pas une détection spécifique d'une éventuelle contamination microbienne de l'eau potable.…”

Section: Les Moyens De Prévention Et Les Attentes Industrielles Dans unclassified

Le réseau de distribution d’eau potable : un écosystème complexe lié à des enjeux de santé publique

Poitelon

Joyeux

Welté

et al. 2012

rseau

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L’émergence de pathogènes dans l’eau destinée à la consommation humaine représente une préoccupation majeure en matière de santé publique pour les industriels et les pouvoirs publics concernés. Parmi ces pathogènes, certains sont d’origine fécale (Cryptosporidium, Campylobacter ou bien les rotavirus), alors que d’autres vivent dans l’environnent naturel (Legionella, Pseudomonas, Aeromonas ou bien les mycobactéries). Dans l’optique de mettre en place une analyse des risques liés à la présence de ces pathogènes, il est important d’accroître nos connaissances sur l’écologie de ces microorganismes et de développer des outils d’analyse afin de réaliser une meilleure surveillance sanitaire. Par conséquent, l’écologie microbienne du réseau de distribution d’eau potable doit être étudiée en détail, particulièrement vis-à-vis des propriétés physiologiques et la diversité des espèces microbiennes présentes, afin de mieux comprendre les interactions entre les espèces communément rencontrées et celles pathogènes.The emergence of pathogens in water intended for human consumption is a major concern in terms of the public health industry and the public authorities concerned. Among these pathogens, some are of faecal origin (Cryptosporidium, Campylobacter, or rotavirus), while others live in the natural environment (Legionella, Pseudomonas, Aeromonas or mycobacteria). In order to establish a risk analysis related to the presence of these pathogens, it is important to increase our knowledge on the ecology of these microorganisms and to develop analytical tools to achieve better health monitoring. Therefore, the microbial ecology of drinking water distribution networks must be studied in detail, especially with respect to the properties and physiological diversity of the microbial species present, in order to better understand the interactions between species commonly encountered and those that are pathogens

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Impact of raw water turbidity fluctuations on drinking water quality in a distribution system

Cited by 29 publications

References 19 publications

Drinking water turbidity and emergency department visits for gastrointestinal illness in Atlanta, 1993–2004

Drinking water turbidity and emergency department visits for gastrointestinal illness in Atlanta, 1993–2004

Variation in turbidity with precipitation and flow in a regulated river system – river Göta Älv, SW Sweden

Le réseau de distribution d’eau potable : un écosystème complexe lié à des enjeux de santé publique

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