DOI: https://doi.org/10.15368/theses.2012.109
Available at: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/theses/792
Date of Award
6-2012
Degree Name
MS in Civil and Environmental Engineering
Department/Program
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Advisor
Shikha Rahman
Abstract
Although regulations and requirements for water quality source monitoring have increased, drinking water distribution systems can still be considered vulnerable to purposeful or accidental contamination.
This study analyzes the transport of the hypothetical contaminant Cryptosporidium through the distribution system of a city with a population of 30,000 to 50,000 in an attempt to locate the optimal monitoring locations in the distribution system. Cryptosporidium was selected due to its resistance to chlorine and it’s conservative properties for vulnerability assessments. The method for selecting the optimal monitoring locations was taken from Chastain (2004) which developed and examined the method for a virtual city. However, Chastain did not apply the method to an actual city. This study looks to use Chastain’s method conjunctively with WaterCAD® and Excel in an attempt to accommodate to the small scale systems which are more vulnerable relatively speaking.
The results of the analysis, shown in Appendices A and B, are grouped into zones of significance which contain a cluster of optimal points for placing water quality sensors. These zones of significance are to be taken as a guide for mitigating potential terrorist initiated events on the water distribution system.