Methodology for Locating Monitoring Stations to Detect Contamination in Potable Water Distribution Systems

Abstract

The requirements to protect public water systems from external contamination have expanded in the years following September 11, 2001. The areal extent and nonlinear nature of fluid demand and movement in the distribution system makes efficient location of sampling points difficult. This difficulty is compounded by the fact that contamination conceptually can occur at any time and at any point within the distribution system. This paper proposes a methodology to identify strategic locations within the system that can be established as critical detection points for such occurrences. This methodology is different from others in that it uses computer simulations to create a database of water system responses to contamination generated at every node in the system. A process is developed to mine this database systematically after considering concentration thresholds and “time since injection” parameters. The result is a network of monitoring locations that provide efficient coverage of the system under the conditions imposed.