Author(s)

R. Guercio & E. Di Ruzza

Abstract

The goal of an early warning water monitoring system (EWWMS) for quality control in a water distribution network is to identify low probability/high impact contamination events in source water or distribution systems. It should be able to detect not only intentional contamination, but also contaminants introduced accidentally or natural occurrences. Firstly, to ensure the full protection of drinking water, a technology- based EWWMS should be one component of the program. While laboratory technology exists to measure a wide range of contaminants, it’s not the same for on-line and real time technology. A number of research projects are investigating rapid and on-line monitoring technologies, including biosensors and biochips, fiber optics and microelectronics. In most cases the performances of these systems has not been fully characterized. In this paper, a submergible UV/VIS spectrometer has been extensively tested in laboratory experiments, with the aim to check its limits of sensitivity, its ability to identify and quantify specific contaminants and its rate of false positive/negative. Keywords: early warning water monitoring system; drinking water distribution system control; spectroscopy; on-line monitoring, tracer test, contamination. 1 Introduction The goal of an EWWMS is to identify reliably low probability/high impact contamination events in source water or distribution systems. Monitoring water quality in real time allows an effective local response that minimizes the adverse impacts that may result from the event [1, 14]. Other desirable features of an EWWMS include: affordable cost, low skill and training, coverage of all

Keywords

early warning water monitoring system; drinking water distribution system control; spectroscopy; on-line monitoring, tracer test, contamination.