Distribution system deficiencies continue to be responsible for more than 25 percent of waterborne disease outbreaks in the United States each year, a statistic that underscores the need for water suppliers to effectively control water quality within the distribution system. Flushing is one of the most powerful tools available to a water utility for maintaining this control. Unidirectional flushing (UDF) is a refinement designed to bring water through the system in a controlled fashion at velocities sufficient to provide a scouring action within the distribution piping. First developed in the early 1990s, UDF is being utilized by a growing number of utilities as a cost-effective way of improving and preserving water quality in the distribution system. In this overview of UDF, the authors summarize the technique's key components and potential benefits and explore how UDF fits into overall efforts to control distribution system water quality.
展开▼
