Assessing the Effect of Changing Ambient Air Temperature on Water Temperature and Quality in Drinking Water Distribution Systems

Drinking water distribution systems (DWDS) are affected by climate change and this work aimed to assess the effect of changing ambient air temperature on the water temperature and various water quality parameters in DWDS. A water temperature estimation model was identified and evaluated at seven spe...

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Main Authors: Yuchuan Lai, David A. Dzombak
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-07-01
Series:Water
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/13/14/1916
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spelling doaj-f86ccef30b6141cf85acc1888a1fa1292021-07-23T14:12:03ZengMDPI AGWater2073-44412021-07-01131916191610.3390/w13141916Assessing the Effect of Changing Ambient Air Temperature on Water Temperature and Quality in Drinking Water Distribution SystemsYuchuan Lai0David A. Dzombak1Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USADepartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USADrinking water distribution systems (DWDS) are affected by climate change and this work aimed to assess the effect of changing ambient air temperature on the water temperature and various water quality parameters in DWDS. A water temperature estimation model was identified and evaluated at seven specific locations in the U.S. and water quality parameters were assessed with a case study for Washington D.C. Preliminary estimation of changes in water temperature and two temperature-related parameters (the chlorine decay rate and bacterial activity) were developed for 91 U.S. cities using local air temperature observations and projections. Estimated water temperature changes in DWDS are generally equivalent to air temperature changes on an annual average basis, suggesting modest changes for the assessed historical periods and possibly more intensified changes in the future with greater increase in air temperature. As higher water age can amplify the temperature effect and the effects of temperature on some water quality parameters can be inter-related, yielding an aggregated effect, evaluation of extreme cases for DWDS will be of importance. In responding to changing climate conditions, assessments of DWDS water temperature changes and resulting impacts on water quality merit more attention to ensure appropriate adaptation of DWDS design and management.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/13/14/1916climate changedistribution systemdrinking watertemperature
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Yuchuan Lai
David A. Dzombak
spellingShingle Yuchuan Lai
David A. Dzombak
Assessing the Effect of Changing Ambient Air Temperature on Water Temperature and Quality in Drinking Water Distribution Systems
Water
climate change
distribution system
drinking water
temperature
author_facet Yuchuan Lai
David A. Dzombak
author_sort Yuchuan Lai
title Assessing the Effect of Changing Ambient Air Temperature on Water Temperature and Quality in Drinking Water Distribution Systems
title_short Assessing the Effect of Changing Ambient Air Temperature on Water Temperature and Quality in Drinking Water Distribution Systems
title_full Assessing the Effect of Changing Ambient Air Temperature on Water Temperature and Quality in Drinking Water Distribution Systems
title_fullStr Assessing the Effect of Changing Ambient Air Temperature on Water Temperature and Quality in Drinking Water Distribution Systems
title_full_unstemmed Assessing the Effect of Changing Ambient Air Temperature on Water Temperature and Quality in Drinking Water Distribution Systems
title_sort assessing the effect of changing ambient air temperature on water temperature and quality in drinking water distribution systems
publisher MDPI AG
series Water
issn 2073-4441
publishDate 2021-07-01
description Drinking water distribution systems (DWDS) are affected by climate change and this work aimed to assess the effect of changing ambient air temperature on the water temperature and various water quality parameters in DWDS. A water temperature estimation model was identified and evaluated at seven specific locations in the U.S. and water quality parameters were assessed with a case study for Washington D.C. Preliminary estimation of changes in water temperature and two temperature-related parameters (the chlorine decay rate and bacterial activity) were developed for 91 U.S. cities using local air temperature observations and projections. Estimated water temperature changes in DWDS are generally equivalent to air temperature changes on an annual average basis, suggesting modest changes for the assessed historical periods and possibly more intensified changes in the future with greater increase in air temperature. As higher water age can amplify the temperature effect and the effects of temperature on some water quality parameters can be inter-related, yielding an aggregated effect, evaluation of extreme cases for DWDS will be of importance. In responding to changing climate conditions, assessments of DWDS water temperature changes and resulting impacts on water quality merit more attention to ensure appropriate adaptation of DWDS design and management.
topic climate change
distribution system
drinking water
temperature
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/13/14/1916
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AT davidadzombak assessingtheeffectofchangingambientairtemperatureonwatertemperatureandqualityindrinkingwaterdistributionsystems
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