Spatial and temporal relation between drinking water temperature and indicators for microbial water quality in the drinking water distribution system of Amsterdam

Master thesis (2021)

Authors

R.P. Speksnijder Civil Engineering & Geosciences

Contributors

J.P. van der Hoek Sanitary Engineering - CEG (mentor)
E. Abraham Water Resources - CEG (graduation committee member)
L. Zlatanovic Sanitary Engineering - CEG (graduation committee member)
D.B. Steffelbauer (graduation committee member)
K.L. Lam Sanitary Engineering - CEG (coach)
Faculty
Civil Engineering & Geosciences, Civil Engineering & Geosciences
Copyright: © 2021 Rogier Speksnijder
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Published Date

08-01-2021

Language

English

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Faculty

Civil Engineering & Geosciences

Abstract

Intensive urbanisation enhances warming of cities’ ambient and subsoil environment. The local drinking water distribution system (DWDS) is likewise affected. Hotspots of anthropogenic heating were perceived to influence drinking water temperature and pose a threat for microbial drinking water quality. Information on temporal and spatial relation between drinking water temperature and microbial indicating parameters was however scarce. This is especially the case for a full scale unchlorinated DWDS in a metropolitan area. Therefore, this research aimed to explore the spatial and temporal relation between drinking water temperature and microbial indicating parameters Aeromonas and Heterotrophic Plate count (HPC). 11 Years of sample data from the DWDS in the metropole of Amsterdam was explored, with the objective to possibly draw conclusions beyond this DWDS. This DWDS consists of two interconnected subsystems. Each subsystem is fed by its own treatment facility. Areas with repetitive exceedance of threshold temperature (14 oC) for accelerating Aeromonas growth, were not inextricably tied to repetitive exceedance of the Aeromonas standard for safe drinking water. Areas with repetitive exceedance of the Aeromonas standard were often linked to prolonged residence time. For regions on the outskirt of observed DWDS it was suggested that the influence of residence time was more important than the absolute water temperature to explain Aeromonas concentrations.