DOI: https://doi.org/10.15368/theses.2015.78
Available at: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/theses/1421
Date of Award
6-2015
Degree Name
MS in Civil and Environmental Engineering
Department/Program
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Advisor
Shikha Rahman
Abstract
Water quality regulations are always expanding especially in the field of water quality monitoring; however, threats to our water distribution systems still remain. Components of water distribution systems are susceptible to intentional and accidental contamination; therefore, they represent highly vulnerable aspects of our vital infrastructure.
An analysis was performed on a city in California with a population of 30,000 to 40,000 residents. The analysis is performed to determine the optimal locations of monitoring stations throughout the water distribution system. The method presented by Liu and colleagues (Liu et al, 2012) selects the optimal monitoring locations for the virtual California city using the Demand Coverage Index (DCI) method. In order to study small scale systems which are typically more vulnerable to tampering, the method attempts to use the virtual city to show the effectiveness of the DCI method and how it can be implemented on smaller water distribution systems (WDS).
The analysis results lay out a number of monitoring stations that should be used to prevent a large scale contamination event from occurring. The number of monitoring stations will vary depending on funding for water infrastructure and coverage requirements. The results represent an outline for improving the effectiveness of the monitoring capabilities in the WDS. The monitoring stations increase the resilience of the WDS from potential terrorist sabotage and mitigate potential outbreaks due to microorganisms, pipeline leaks, or hazardous chemicals entering the WDS.
Included in
Civil Engineering Commons, Environmental Engineering Commons, Hydraulic Engineering Commons