MODELLING OF PARTICLES IN WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS

摘要

In Australian drinking water supply systems the largest proportion of water quality customer complaints are related to discoloured or 'dirty water'. However, little is known about the origins and movement of the particulate material that causes such complaints through the water supply system. To address this gap the Cooperative Research Centre for Water Quality and Treatment (CRCWQT) commenced development of a computer simulation to model the movement and accumulation of particulate material within the water supply system, based on laboratory investigation of particle movement. Seven water utilities: Sydney Water, Brisbane Water, United Water International, Water Corporation, Melbourne Water, South East Water and Yarra Valley Water; and Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) participated in this research project, which was completed in December 2003. One of the project outcomes was the development of a simple particle model termed the Particle Sediment Model (PSM). The PSM tracks the transport, settling, and re-suspension of particles in water distribution systems, which should then help water utilities in the development of proactive water mains cleaning programs. This paper presents the theory and data associated with construction of this model.