FAILURE MECHANISMS AND MONITORING METHODOLOGIES PERTINENT FOR DETECTION OF EXPOSURE RISKS IN WATER DISTRIBUTION NETWORKS

摘要

Source characteristics and failure mechanisms with potential to cause waterborne pathogen illness in the general population are described. Concerns with potential pathogen outbreaks are increasing in public awareness/attention as the occasions of incidence are increasing in occurrence and may be exacerbated by bioterrorism. Responsive efforts to ensure an effective and safe water supply system are increasing in complexity in part built upon increased understanding of pathogen fate and transport characteristics. The potential for pathogen outbreaks to impact source water, and the resilience of the infrastructure including water treatment system and deterioration of the water distribution systems are considered. In response, efforts are described to improve monitoring capabilities, using indicator or surrogate parameters. An early warning system is described, representing an integrated comprehensive method for detecting, and assessing, a contamination event. The results of some experiments to allow 'trace back' as part of the investigations to determine where the contamination may have arisen are described.