SMALL WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM DISINFECTION BY-PRODUCT CONTROL: WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT USING STORAGE SYSTEMS

Abstract

Disinfection, a vital part of a drinking water treatment, using chlorine is the most widely practiced
process in the world. The Stage-2 Disinfectant and Disinfection By-Product regulations force water utilities in
the US to be more concerned with their distributed water quality. Compliance requires changes to their current
operational strategy. Storage system management is an important part of the operational strategy of small scale
utilities. This study quantifies changes in DBP formation and chlorine decay in storage systems under varying
operational parameters such as mixing, contact time, and water movement using a physical model (Pipe Loop) of
a distribution system. Effective operation of storage systems can yield greater than 30% decrease in DBP
formation in distribution systems and maintain chlorine residual for a 50% longer period.