Evaluating Coliform Monitoring Strategies for Contamination Scenarios in a Distribution System Model

dc.contributor.authorBauer, Jeremyen
dc.contributor.committeechairGodrej, Adil N.en
dc.contributor.committeememberGrizzard, Thomas J.en
dc.contributor.committeememberPost, Harold E. IIen
dc.contributor.departmentEnvironmental Engineeringen
dc.date.accessioned2014-03-14T20:35:09Zen
dc.date.adate2008-05-28en
dc.date.available2014-03-14T20:35:09Zen
dc.date.issued2008-04-25en
dc.date.rdate2012-04-30en
dc.date.sdate2008-05-05en
dc.description.abstractLarge public water utilities currently are required to take several 100 mL water samples every month in their distribution systems and to test these samples for the presence of total coliforms to comply with the Total Coliform Rule. How and where they take these samples is not specified. The Total Coliform Rule is currently undergoing review and revision. One possible revision is more specific rule language or guidance of where and when utilities take their monthly coliform water samples. This project considers various drinking water distribution system monitoring strategies for a large drinking water utility using simulations within an EPANET computer model of that utility's distribution system. A review of the literature and the use of best professional judgment help to inform the understanding of the primary causes of the occurrence of coliform bacteria in drinking water distribution systems. In this analysis, both contamination scenarios and coliform monitoring approaches are simulated in the EPANET computer model to better understand what types of contamination events might be detected by routine coliform monitoring and to what extent monitoring strategies affect observed results. In addition, statistical strengths of the various strategies and their respective results are considered in this project. Analysis of model output supports the assertion that water age may be a good factor to consider in designing a monitoring plan, especially if sampling cannot be conducted every day and that taking samples immediately after and in the vicinity of rapid changes in flow (e.g., during a firefighting incident) may help utility operators to better understand what associated risk, if any, exists to consumers of drinking water as a result of these flow conditions.en
dc.description.degreeMaster of Scienceen
dc.identifier.otheretd-05052008-205639en
dc.identifier.sourceurlhttp://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-05052008-205639/en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10919/32233en
dc.publisherVirginia Techen
dc.relation.haspartbauer_jeremy_thesis_52708.pdfen
dc.rightsIn Copyrighten
dc.rights.urihttp://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/en
dc.subjectSloughen
dc.subjectShearen
dc.subjectFlowen
dc.subjectPressureen
dc.subjectModelen
dc.subjectDistribution Systemen
dc.subjectColiformen
dc.subjectMonitoren
dc.subjectSampleen
dc.titleEvaluating Coliform Monitoring Strategies for Contamination Scenarios in a Distribution System Modelen
dc.typeThesisen
thesis.degree.disciplineEnvironmental Planningen
thesis.degree.grantorVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State Universityen
thesis.degree.levelmastersen
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Scienceen

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