Program 2E: Distribution
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS Project Leader
Greg Ryan, Asoka Jayaratne Research Staff
Prem Mathes, Jie Wu, Clive Grainger, Bon Nguyen Organisations Involved
Brisbane City Council, CSIRO, Melbourne Water, South East Water, Sydney Water Corporation, United Water, Water Corporation, Yarra Valley Water
Budget $1,608,500
Duration Oct 2001 – Dec 2003 Principal Aims
• Determine the origins and characteristics of particulate material within a reticulated water system that causes dirty water customer complaints.
• Track the movement, fate and transformation of particulate material in the distribution system.
• Identify regions of settling or particle accumulation.
• Determine causes for particle re-suspension.
• Develop concepts for:
• An ideal water quality for preventing dirty water from the source.
• The design requirements to prevent or minimise dirty water.
• Management options to minimise dirty water.
Research Plan
The particles in the distribution system project will consist of a number of components:
1. Understanding of current research overseas.
2. Particle characterisation.
3. Modelling particle movement.
4. Mapping particle hotspots within distribution systems.
Milestones Achieved
• Literature review completed.
• Developed preliminary computer model.
• Pipe test rig designed installed and particle testing commenced to determine model parameters.
• Field sampling protocols devised and agreed for particle characterisation.
• Sampling nearing completion, along with sediment characterisation work.
• Field data collection for validation of the computer model commenced.
• Completed three progress reports and submitted for peer review.
Milestones Planned for Next Year
• In 2003-04 the calibration of the computer simulation model will be completed using field data collected in Yarra Valley Water’s Doncaster zone and results of the pipe test loop (using cement lined cast iron pipe).
• The computer simulation will be completed to a stage that incorporates particle settling, and resuspension. It is anticipated that the model will include an ability to model the sticking of particles to the pipe wall, as well as being able to simulate particle settling due to gravity.
• A final report along with interim progress reports will be produced.
• Recommendations will be made for Stage 2 of this investigation. Stage 2 is likely to involve:
• Fine tuning of the model, possibly to include biofilms and capture nuances specific to particular water treatment types.
• Developing innovative solutions to enhance particle removal/capture using storage tanks or reservoirs.
2.5.0.1 DEVELOPMENT OF TOOLS FOR IMPROVED DISINFECTION CONTROL WITHIN
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS Project Leader
Mike Holmes, Chris Chow Research Staff
Mike Holmes, Chris Chow, Holger Maier, John Nixon, Graeme Dandy, Alexander Badalyan, Corinna Doolan, Phil Duker, Kathryn Clarkson, Vince Sweet, Ken Turner
Organisations Involved
AWQC, Melbourne Water, Power and Water, SA Water, Sydney Water, UniSA, University of Adelaide, United Water, Water Corporation
Budget $2,102,984 Duration Jul 2002 – Dec 2005 Principal Aims
The project aims to develop tools to improve control of disinfection residual in chlorine and chloramine water distribution systems (WDS). Specific aims include:
• Development of a prototype tool capable of assessing indicative chlorine demand rapidly on-line.
• To recommend best commercially available on-line analysers suitable for use in distribution systems to accurately and reliably measure disinfectant residuals.
• To develop and assess artificial neural network (ANN) modelling techniques to predict residual disinfectant concentration at key network locations.
• To develop chlorine and chloramine prototype DRCTs.
• To evaluate chlorine and chloramine DRCTs as tools to predict disinfectant residuals in down stream distribution systems and to advise treatment managers as to the optimum disinfectant dose rates.
• To use knowledge gained to produce a generic Guidance Manual to advise industry partners how to develop a DRCT for use in Australian distribution systems.
Research Plan
1. A Prototype Surrogate Chlorine Demand Sensor will be developed.
2. Commercially available sensors will be identified and assessed.
3. Output data produced from chemical dosing units, flow meters, and water quality sensors will be interfaced with data logging/telemetry units to enable communication back to the central PC running the ANN. It is expected that sensors will be installed in remote locations that are without power or telemetry.
4. Distribution system monitoring facilities will be installed at Myponga and Woronora. United Water/Adelaide University will install online chlorine residual analysers and flow meters in the Myponga distribution system.
5. Modelling work will be done that will enable the development of chlorine and chloramine ANN models that can be integrated within the two types of DRCT to be developed.
6. When produced, DRCT components will be integrated to develop pilot DRCT systems for Myponga and Woronora 7. When successfully tested in the lab, DRCT system
components will be integrated and installed in the Myponga and Woronora networks. Each DRCT will attempt to predict disinfectant residuals in downstream network locations.
8. Knowledge gained during pilot DRCT studies will be used to produce a generic DRCT Guidance Manual. This can be used by industry partners develop DRCT systems for use in any network.
Milestones Achieved
• Develop Prototype Surrogate Chlorine Demand Analyser (In progress).
• Issue water sampling programme to partners (Complete).
Milestones Planned for Next Year
• Literature search.
• Develop collaborative relationship with expert overseas groups.
• Issue report
• Develop Prototype Surrogate Chlorine Demand Analyser.
• Issue water sampling programme to partners.
• Assess commercially available sensors for use in distribution systems.
• Identify commercially available on-line sensors for key water quality for DRCT application and report findings.
• Evaluate instrument performance in distribution.
• Report options for communicating from remote sensors to central PC.
• Report on industry needs for improved water quality in distribution.
• Develop PhD experimental plan.
2.5.0.2 UNDERSTANDING DISCOLOURED WATER – AT THE CUSTOMER’S TAP AND IN DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
Project Leader Peter Teasdale Research Staff
Kelly O’Halloran, Corinna Doolan, Lisa Hamilton, Melinda John Organisations Involved
Brisbane City Council, Griffith University, Power and Water, South East Water, Sydney Water, Water Corporation, Yarra Valley Water
Budget $999,575
Duration Oct 2002 – Oct 2005 Aim
This project aims to develop an improved understanding of how dirty water events occur, by linking water quality parameters with operational protocols and dirty water events, mainly using data already available in water suppliers or collected as necessary.
Research Plan This research will:
• investigate and better understand the oxidation chemistry of manganese, iron and critical metals and to determine the influence of organic matter on the generation of dirty water events
• assess the effect of chemical and physico-chemical conditions of critical metals containing biofilms leading to dirty water events
• design a methodology to better understand the cause of dirty water events based on water quality parameters
• asses the extent of the dirty water complaints that can be related to critical metals and determine the impact of the operational activities on the number of these complaints.
The research plan combines
• desk top studies to critically review the discoloured water complaints within the industry
• laboratory scale studies to determine the reactivity of manganese and iron in the presence of chlorine, chloramines and residual NOM
• desk top studies to review the causes and effect of discolouration to develop a conceptual model
• relevant field studies not undertaken earlier on the factors effectingdiscolouration .
Milestones Achieved
• Project commencement.
• Search and review of international and Australian research literature
• Desk top study of discoloured water complaints.
• Project stakeholder workshop to identify important criteria and measurements to be undertaken.
Program 2E: Distribution
Milestones Planned for Next Year
• Customer Survey.
• Conceptual model.
• Characterisation of discoloured water events.
2.5.0.3 DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEM TO MAINTAIN WATER QUALITY
Project Leader
Greg Ryan, Asoka Jayaratne Research Staff
Graeme Dandy, Holger Maier, Darren Broad, Matthew Gibbs
Organisations Involved
CSIRO, South East Water, Sydney Water, Adelaide University, United Water, Water Corporation, Yarra Valley Water Budget $1,009,726
Duration Sept 2002 – Aug 2006
Aims
• To develop a computer package (Decision Support System (DSS)) that is able to form a back-end to commercially available hydraulic and water quality models.
For water authorities where a commercially available hydraulic model is not in place, the DSS should provide a simple method of representing the system and current problem so that optimal solutions can be quickly derived.
That the DSS will have two components: System Design and System Operation.
The system design component would be used for long term system management and planning for capital works; and System operation would incorporate incident management options.
The Functionality of the DSS would be based on:
• Existing operator experience, which will be sought and transformed into a series of key system management rules; and
• Models and outcomes from other CRC projects (the intention here is not to duplicate work already done, but to provide a centralised analysis tool to which new and existing information can be readily added).
These components will help identify the most cost effective design and operational measures that should be adopted in order to balance the possibly conflicting needs of a particular water supply system for hydraulic management, water quality, customer service, environmental and other cost objectives
• To develop and test decision support systems for a number of water authorities in Melbourne, Adelaide and Sydney and to compare the results of the decision support analysis with current operational practices.
• To determine which parameter decisions have the greatest impact on system operation in order to identify further research directions and needs.
Research Plan
This project is to occur in two stages:
The compilation of a literature review and evaluation of the current status of decision support modeling tools worldwide This review will take into account commercially available models, both Decision Support and Hydraulic. It will provide a brief overview of possible pathways for commercialization or opportunities for working with software developers in the longer term for the full implementation of this technology.
Develop the Decision Support Model
The literature review will be undertaken over a five month period. Depending on the outcome of the literature review, there is an option to convene a workshop to consult with interested parties on the directions for best integrating the Decision Support Model and the involvement, if any, of commercial partners, prior to commencement of Stage 2.
In Stage 2, it is proposed to support two PhD students on the project. The first PhD student will focus on optimisation of system operations to achieve improved water quality. The second will study optimisation of distribution system design to achieve improved water quality. The development of a graphical user interface for the decision support system is a specialised task that will require the employment of a person with skills and experience in this area later in the project.
Milestones Achieved
• Convened a workshop to consult with interested parties on key components to be incorporated into the Decision Support System, and confirmed how the background data for these components may be obtained.
• Literature review and evaluation of the status of decision support modeling tools worldwide completed and Report prepared.
Milestones Planned for Next Year
• Complete literature review of global optimisation algorithms.
• Commence development of the preliminary design of the optimisation method.
• Select case study sites from four utilities.
• Obtain a hydraulic model for the case study areas and undertake preliminary optimisation analysis.
• Analysis results will be assessed against field data to confirm the accuracy of particular model predictions where possible.
2.5.0.5 APPLICATION OF HAZARD ANALYSIS AND CRITICAL CONTROL POINT (HACCP) FOR DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM PROTECTION Project Leader
Melita Stevens Research Staff
Daniel Deere, Joanne Mullenger, Greg Ryan, Asoka Jayaratne, David Smith, Kathryn Clarkson, Suzanne Phillips, Michael Chapman, Corinna Doolan, Dammika Vitanage, Bob Phillips, Kathy Martel, Amie Hanson
Program 2E: Distribution
Program 2E: Distribution
Organisations Involved
Melbourne Water, SCA, Sydney Water, South East Water, Yarra Valley Water, Department of Human Services (Vic), Power and Water, Gold Coast Water, Brisbane Water, Monash University, GHD, Economic Engineering Services (US)
Budget $524,566
Duration Nov 2002 – Nov 2004 Aims
The primary objective of this project is to develop practical guidance for water utilities wishing to implement water quality risk management plans incorporating the principles of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP). This system was originally developed for food safety and can be described as “a logical, scientific process control system designed to identify, evaluate and control hazards, which are significant for food safety”. HACCP was promoted as a means of detecting and correcting deviations at the earliest possible point in the process of food supply and hence reduce the wastage usually associated with end-of-line testing, as well as reducing the health risks associated with contaminated good. Although the logic of the HACCP principles translate to water, the guidance and terminology available for water utilities is generally tailored to food suppliers. Therefore, the purpose of this project is to produce guidance that water utilities can use readily.
Research Plan
Task 1: Modify HACCP Model for Water Distribution Systems Task 2: Conduct Desktop Analysis of Modified HACCP Model Task 3: Conduct Field Audits Using Modified HACCP Model Task 4: Implement HACCP Plans
Task 5: Integrate HACCP Model With Existing Practices Task 6: Prepare Project Deliverables
Milestones Achieved
• First Project Team Meeting in the US Nov 2002.
• Task 1 Completed. Model HACCP Plan Feb 2003.
• First Status Report delivered to the Project Advisory Committee of American Water Works Association Research Foundation (AwwaRF) Jan 2003.
• First Periodic Report submitted to AwwaRF May 2003.
Milestones Planned for Next Year
• First Utility Workshop, Austin Texas USA.
• Final Model HACCP Plan submitted to AwwaRF.
PROJECTS IN DEVELOPMENT
Understanding the Growth of Opportunistic Bacterial Pathogens Within Distribution Mains
Concept has been prepared. The Management Committee and the Chair of the CRC Board has provided comments. Plans are in place to assess the outcomes of the biofilm related research and then re evaluated the project based on the industry feedback. Was prioritised as a medium priority during the research identification workshops.
Impact of Cement-Mortar Lined Pipes on pH Variability Summer scholarship identified the gaps in knowledge related to pH within the distribution system. Based on this report a concept is presently being drafted to study the impact of cement-mortar lined pipes on pH variability.
Taste and Odour (and Related Other Aesthetics) With increased awareness within the industry on aesthetics, there is high potential need for additional research on this area.
Present work progressing within the distribution program and other programs may lead into a formulation of research in this area of work.
NOM Related Impacts on the Distribution System In relation to NOM there has been very little research
undertaken within the distribution system. Some research work has been undertaken by the Treatment Program as part of the Mark 1 Program. Once more information is available from the planned biofilm research review and from the outcomes from the discoloured water research strategy there may be a need to consider this aspect within the distribution program within the context of the NOM research undertaken already within the CRC and elsewhere (eg AwwaRF).
Program 2E: Distribution
PROGRESS AGAINST MILESTONES