Drinking water distribution systems: Theory and application of an urban observatory

D. L. Boccelli, J. G. Uber, S. Hatchett

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

As urbanization continues to increase and climate changes continue to impact our water cycle, the importance for understanding the complex interactions occurring between and within the urban and natural environments continues to be more important. When considering an urban center, the intake of water - primarily for potable water production - is impacted by the interplay of the hydrological cycle with both the natural and engineered systems located upstream of that center. Within an urban center, the production of potable water is utilized for both potable and non-potable uses and must satisfy a complex, sometimes conflicting set of regulatory constraints. These systems also must handle changes in water use through conservation efforts, development of "grey water" infrastructure, and continuing challenges to protect public health. The return of this water back to the environment through the sewer and storm water system is challenged by an increasingly aged infrastructure that must avoid direct discharges of untreated water into the receiving waters; and, factoring the potential benefit of low impact development, on improving and maintaining these systems as the hydrologic cycle changes. As the water then leaves the urban center, the remaining water quantity and quality now impacts the downstream natural and urban environments, where the urban water cycle repeats itself. Understanding the complex interactions within one of these natural or urban systems, let along the interactions between them, is a challenging but necessary objective if we are to continue developing sustainable water resource strategies into the future. The role of the developing "observatories" will be an important part of collecting the data necessary to understand these complex, spatially diverse systems. The additional role of "cyber-infrastructures" as data repositories and simulation frameworks will provide the platforms to amplify research efforts by making this information available to research groups throughout the world. The following sections describe out on-going efforts in developing the cyber-infrastructure for implementing an urban observatory within drinking water distribution systems.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationWorld Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2010
Subtitle of host publicationChallenges of Change - Proceedings of the World Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2010
Pages300-306
Number of pages7
DOIs
StatePublished - 2010
Externally publishedYes
EventWorld Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2010: Challenges of Change - Providence, RI, United States
Duration: May 16 2010May 20 2010

Publication series

NameWorld Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2010: Challenges of Change - Proceedings of the World Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2010

Other

OtherWorld Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2010: Challenges of Change
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityProvidence, RI
Period5/16/105/20/10

Keywords

  • Drinking water
  • Urban areas
  • Water distribution systems

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Water Science and Technology

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