AWWA WQTC60623

The New Britain Water Department put on-line a new water treatment plant in April 2004that uses different disinfectant, coagulant, and filter media than the conventionaltreatment that it was replacing. Even though the new water treatment plant will producehigher finished water quality, there is a concern that the change in water chemistry maycause problems in the distribution system that has pipes ranging from 10 to 150 years old.Potential problems that might arise are bacteria regrowth in the distribution system andrelease of iron and manganese from the walls of the water mains. To be able to quicklydetect problems, the Water Department initiated a distribution system sampling program2 1/2 years before the new treatment plant went on-line. This has provided the waterdepartment a baseline for comparing changes in water quality. For example, one locationhas had elevated turbidity and color measurements, but this was not inconsistent with thebaseline data collected before the new plant went on-line. What potentially is moreconcerning is that the rate of chlorine decay in the distribution system has increased atlocations close to the water treatment plant. By having baseline water quality datathroughout the distribution system, this issue was identified and can be quickly addressedbefore any potential problems occur. Includes tables, figures.

Product Details

Edition:

Vol. - No.

Published:

11/15/2004

Number of Pages:

11

File Size:

1 file , 660 KB