Pilot-scale drinking water distribution system to study water quality changes during transport

Abstract

Drinking water (DW) quality can change during distribution, leading to taste and odor events and microbial regrowth. Pilot plants mimicking distribution networks are crucial for understanding these changes. We present a new pilot plant design, including piping material, sensors, and instrumentation. The three independent loops (100 m each) of the pilot exhibit identical behavior, allowing simultaneous testing of three conditions. Monitoring includes taste and odor compound formation, microorganism regrowth, and dissolved organic carbon changes. Real-time measurements enable continuous monitoring, and inner pipe biofilm sampling is feasible. The pilot’s modularity facilitates studying climate change effects, different piping materials, and source waters on DW quality in the distribution network.