Author(s): Killian Gleeson; Stewart Husband; John Gaffney; Sebastian O’Shea; Arthur Costa Lopes; Joby Boxall

Linked Author(s):

Keywords: Cross correlation; Service reservoirs; Time series data; Water quality sensors

Abstract: Service reservoirs (SRs), or tanks, are critical components of drinking water distribution systems that operate to balance supply and demand. To achieve this they may retain large volumes of water for significant periods of time. SRs are hence a potential source of water quality issues due to the kinetic reactions and interactions that occur during the period water is resident within them. In particular, inadequate mixing can cause the formation of dead zones with prolonged stagnation increasing water age and reducing disinfectant residual, thereby increasing microbial activity and contamination risks. We propose and demonstrate a novel way to assess how well a SR is performing in terms of mixing, by comparing the difference between idealised well mixed and operationally estimated values of residence times. The greater the difference in these values the further from well mixed the performance of the SR is and the greater the potential for impacts on water quality.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3850/iahr-hic2483430201-510

Year: 2024