Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
2. Will constructing a centralized treatment and distribution system
for the entire community be best, or would using individual well
supplies be better?
3. If a centralized water treatment facility is required, will the stor-
age capacity at the source as well as at intermediate points of the
distribution system maintain the water pressure and flow (
quantity
)
within the conventional limits, particularly during loss-of-pressure
events, such as major water main breaks, rehabilitation of the exist-
ing system, or major fires, for example?
4. Is a planned or preventive maintenance program in place (or antici-
pated) for the distribution system that can be properly planned,
implemented, and controlled at the optimum level possible?
5. Is the type of water treatment process selected in compliance with
federal and state drinking water standards?
Note:
Water from a river or a lake usually requires more extensive treat-
ment than groundwater does to remove bacteria and suspended particles.
Note:
The primary concern for the drinking water practitioner involved
with securing an appropriate water supply, treatment process, and dis-
tribution system must be the protection of public health. Contaminants
must be eliminated or reduced to a safe level to minimize menacing
waterborne diseases (to prevent another Milwaukee
Cryptosporidium
event) and to avoid long-term or chronic injurious health effects.
6. When the source and treatment processes are selected, has the
optimum hydraulic design of the storage, pumping, and distribu-
tion network been determined to ensure that sufficient quantities of
water can be delivered to consumers at adequate pressures?
7. Have community leaders and the consumer (the general public)
received continuing and realistic information about the functioning
of the proposed drinking water service?
Note:
Drinking water practitioners are wise to direct their attention
toward considering point 7, simply because public buy-in for any pro-
posed drinking water project that involves new construction or retrofit-
ting, expansion, or upgrade of an existing facility is essential to ensure
that necessary financing is forthcoming. In addition to the finances
required for any type of waterworks construction project, public and
financial support is also required to ensure the safe operation, main-
tenance, and control of the entire water supply system. The acronym
POTW stands for “
publicly
owned treatment works,” and the public foots
the bills.
