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Risk-based framework for optimizing residual chlorine in large water distribution systems

Environmental Monitoring and Assessment volume 189, Article number: 307 (2017) Cite this article

Abstract

Managing residual chlorine in large water distribution systems (WDS) to minimize human health risk is a daunting task. In this research, a novel risk-based framework is developed and implemented in a distribution network spanning over 64 km2 for supplying water to the city of Al-Khobar (Saudi Arabia) through 473-km-long water mains. The framework integrates the planning of linear assets (i.e., pipes) and placement of booster stations to optimize residual chlorine in the WDS. Failure mode and effect analysis are integrated with the fuzzy set theory to perform risk analysis. A vulnerability regarding the probability of failure of pipes is estimated from historical records of water main breaks. The consequence regarding residual chlorine availability has been associated with the exposed population depending on the land use characteristics (i.e., defined through zoning). EPANET simulations have been conducted to predict residual chlorine at each node of the network. A water quality index is used to assess the effectiveness of chlorine practice. Scenario analysis is also performed to evaluate the impact of changing locations and number of booster stations, and rehabilitation and/or replacement of vulnerable water mains. The results revealed that the proposed methodology could facilitate the utility managers to optimize residual chlorine effectively in large WDS.

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Acknowledgements

This project was funded by the National Plan for Science, Technology and Innovation (MAARIFAH)-King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology through the Science & Technology Unit at King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM), the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, award number (WAT-2390-04).

Author information

Affiliations

  1. College of Applied and Supporting Studies, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran, 31261, Saudi Arabia

    Muhammad Nadeem Sharif & Ashraf Farahat

  2. School of Engineering, University of British Columbia, Okanagan Campus, Kelowna, BC, Canada

    Muhammad Nadeem Sharif & Rehan Sadiq

  3. Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt

    Ashraf Farahat

  4. Civil Engineering Department, College of Engineering, Qassim University, Qassim, Buraydah, 52571, Saudi Arabia

    Husnain Haider

  5. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Water Research Group, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran, 31261, Saudi Arabia

    Muhammad A. Al-Zahrani

  6. École supérieure d’aménagement du territoire et développement régional, Université Laval, Québec, Canada

    Manuel J. Rodriguez

Authors
  1. Muhammad Nadeem Sharif
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  2. Ashraf Farahat
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  3. Husnain Haider
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  4. Muhammad A. Al-Zahrani
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  5. Manuel J. Rodriguez
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  6. Rehan Sadiq
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ashraf Farahat.

Appendices

Appendix A1

Table 7 Calculation of CCME-CWQI at node 72 of WDS. Residual chlorine and time series table at node 72 (values exported from EPANET).
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Appendix A2

Table 8 Calculation of RPN value, Fuzzy and Defuzzification at node 72. (All values exported from EPANET- with and without proposed chlorine booster station).
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Sharif, M.N., Farahat, A., Haider, H. et al. Risk-based framework for optimizing residual chlorine in large water distribution systems. Environ Monit Assess 189, 307 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-017-5989-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-017-5989-0

Keywords

  • Water distribution system (WDS)
  • EPANET
  • Water quality index (WQI)
  • Fuzzy-FMEA
  • Risk priority number (RPN)