Predictive Models for Water Quality in Distribution Systems

Book excerpt: There are two groups of specialists involved in the development and application of water quality models, each of which have a different perspective on the use of models: Academics and scientists - chemistry specialists and microbiologists who develop the models. Practitioners - modelers and distribution engineers who use them to solve problems. There are limitations and constraints in the characterization of the underlying processes and the practical application of models to distribution networks, which require further research. The objectives of the research were to characterize the current state of predictive distribution system water quality models and to identify critical research needs for their improvement. The project reviewed both the development and application of models. The report is intended to both steer future research and to act as a general reference on water quality modeling. The report combines a literature review with the practical experience of the project team. The content of a draft report was discussed at an international workshop attended by academics, engineers, scientists, and hydraulic modelers with the objective of agreeing on specific research needs necessary to improve predictive modeling for water quality in distribution systems. The conclusions of the report are derived from the workshop and form the basis of 11 specific research briefs that have been submitted to AwwaRF for consideration of funding. Researchers often focus on modeling the individual processes that control water quality rather than fully modeling water quality throughout distribution systems. For these "process models" to be applied to real distribution networks, they need to be extended to take in account the physical characteristics of the system?the special and temporal variations in flow, velocity and water age, and the effects of mixing water that has traveled along different flow paths.