Perception of drinking water in the Quebec City region (Canada): the influence of water quality and consumer location in the distribution system

2004 ◽  
Vol 70 (4) ◽  
pp. 363-373 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steve Turgeon ◽  
Manuel J Rodriguez ◽  
Marius Thériault ◽  
Patrick Levallois
2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 472-485 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Proulx ◽  
M. J. Rodriguez ◽  
J. B. Sérodes ◽  
L. F. Miranda

Despite more stringent regulations concerning drinking water quality in many countries, the public is increasingly concerned about the safety of municipal tap water. For this reason, acquiring a better understanding of consumer perception of tap water is an important issue for water authorities and utility managers. In this study, water consumption choice and profile were investigated. The case under study is the territory of a water supply system in Québec City (Canada). Data on drinking water consumption was obtained through a questionnaire-based survey. Survey results showed that an important proportion (about one third) of the population under study do not drink tap water. To explain consumption choice (tap water or not) and consumption profile (levels of tap water consumption), binary and ordinal logistic regression analyses (LGA) were performed based on survey responses and complementary data resulting from measurements of water quality parameters in 32 locations throughout the water distribution system. Water quality information was managed through a water quality index (WQI). The WQI of each sampling point was associated with the location of each survey respondent using a geographical information system (GIS). LGA results showed that the geographical location of the consumer within the distribution system, the WQI and perceived risk toward water consumption were the main factors explaining both the water consumption choice and tap water consumption profile.


2007 ◽  
Vol 55 (5) ◽  
pp. 161-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.H. Heim ◽  
A.M. Dietrich

Pipe relining via in situ epoxy lining is used to remediate corroded plumbing or distribution systems. This investigation examined the effects on odour, TOC, THM formation and disinfectant demand in water exposed to epoxy-lined copper pipes used for home plumbing. The study was conducted in accordance with the Utility Quick Test, a migration/leaching method for utilities to conduct sensory analysis of materials in contact with drinking water. The test was performed using water with no disinfectant and levels of chlorine and monochloramines representative of those found in the distribution system. Panelists repeatedly and consistently described a “plastic/adhesive/putty” odour in the water from the pipes. The odour intensity remained relatively constant for each of two subsequent flushes. Water samples stored in the epoxy-lined pipes showed a significant increase in the leaching of organic compounds (as TOC), and this TOC was demonstrated to react with free chlorine to form trichloromethane. Water stored in the pipes also showed a marked increase in disinfectant demand relative to the water stored in glass control flasks. A study conducted at a full scale installation at an apartment demonstrated that after installation and regular use, the epoxy lining did not yield detectable differences in water quality.


2001 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 237-245 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Gauthier ◽  
B. Barbeau ◽  
R. Millette ◽  
J.-C. Block ◽  
M. Prévost

The concentrations of suspended particles were measured in the drinking water of two distribution systems, and the nature of these particles documented. The concentrations of particulate matter were invariably found to be small (maximum 350 μg/L). They are globally in the very low range in comparison with dissolved matter concentrations, which are measured in several hundreds of mg/L. Except during special water quality events, such as turnover of the raw water resource, results show that organic matter represents the most important fraction of suspended solids (from 40 to 76%) in treated and distributed water. Examination of the nature of the particles made it possible to develop several hypotheses about the type of particles penetrating Montreal's distribution system during the turnover period (algae skeleton, clays). These particles were found to have been transported throughout the distribution systems quite easily, and this could result in the accumulation of deposits if their surface charge were ever even slightly destabilised, or if the particles were to penetrate the laminar flow areas that are fairly typical of remote locations in distribution systems.


2012 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 580-587 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Mounce ◽  
John Machell ◽  
Joby Boxall

Safe, clean drinking water is a foundation of society and water quality monitoring can contribute to ensuring this. A case study application of the CANARY software to historic data from a UK drinking water distribution system is described. Sensitivity studies explored appropriate choice of algorithmic parameter settings for a baseline site, performance was evaluated with artificial events and the system then transferred to all sites. Results are presented for analysis of nine water quality sensors measuring six parameters and deployed in three connected district meter areas (DMAs), fed from a single water source (service reservoir), for a 1 year period and evaluated using comprehensive water utility records with 86% of event clusters successfully correlated to causes (spatially limited to DMA level). False negatives, defined by temporal clusters of water quality complaints in the pilot area not corresponding to detections, were only approximately 25%. It was demonstrated that the software could be configured and applied retrospectively (with potential for future near real time application) to detect various water quality event types (with a wider remit than contamination alone) for further interpretation.


2014 ◽  
Vol 48 (5) ◽  
pp. 3084-3091 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark V. E. Santana ◽  
Qiong Zhang ◽  
James R. Mihelcic

1992 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Ir. Abd. Rasid Othman Othman ◽  
Mohd Asri Mohd Nor ◽  
Azmi Aris ◽  
Teng Keat Hui ◽  
Jagjit Singh Jora Singh

In a assessment of drinking water quality in Skudai Johor Bahru, piped water samples in the distribution system from three different standpipe locations in Taman Sri Skudai, Taman Sri Pulai and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) campus were collected and tested for selected ions and bacteriological quality. The result show that pipe water supplied from a treatment plant at Gunung Pulai in Pontian was low in mineral content. No Eschericia Coli were detected expected at the UTM Campus with concentration of 3 counts/100 mL in one out of 12 sample tested. Total coliforms were found at each site with concentration ranging from 1 to 13 counts/100 mL in 15 out of 6 samples. Except for the coliforms and the fluoride levels exceeding a little over 1.5 mg/L in 8% of the samples, drinking water in the distribution system in the study area can generally be said to have met the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines during the study period. However, with the detection of coliforms and E. Coli at the household standpipes, the possibility of the distribution system in Skudai having pathogen contamination from time to time cannot be dismissed. Keywords: drinking water quality


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