BC Environmental and Occupational Health Research Network

Use reverse flow sensing meters to better understand the frequency of reverse flow and identify the conditions in distribution systems that promote backflow. Develop guidance for utilities on reducing the occurrence of reverse flow promoting conditions. This guidance will be based upon meter data collected from a variety of utilities, in-depth case studies of backflow promoting conditions, and development and application of a testing protocol for the accuracy of reverse flow sensing meters.

Evaluate the existing implementation of on-site generation of hypochlorite solutions and explore the occurrence of DBPs and contaminants formed during operation.

Use reverse flow sensing meters to better understand the frequency of reverse flow and identify the conditions in distribution systems that promote backflow. Develop guidance for utilities on reducing the occurrence of reverse flow promoting conditions. This guidance will be based upon meter data collected from a variety of utilities, in-depth case studies of backflow promoting conditions, and development and application of a testing protocol for the accuracy of reverse flow sensing meters.

The objective of this project is to develop improved strategies for minimizing nitrosamine formation during drinking water treatment and to develop treatment guidance for utilities.

To produce a best practices guide for water utilities for legal protection and management of claims before, during, and after an infrastructure failure event. The research should address the required best practices for claims management from the following perspectives: 1) Prevention and cost recovery of water infrastructure damages due to third party construction activities; 2) Mitigation strategies to protect from third party claims due to water utility construction projects; 3) Mitigation strategies to protect from third party claims due to water main break events; 4) Records collection and management of evidence after an event has occurred to mitigate the legal risks and/or assign damage assessments to the appropriate third party.

The objective of this project is to develop a computerized decision support system to guide water and wastewater utilities in determining the most cost effective measures for reducing consumer exposure to endocrine disrupting compounds, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products (EDCs/PPCPs) in drinking water.

The project objectives include: (1) to synthesize and assess the growing body of work on the concept of “virtual water” that represents the total water embedded in consumer goods and activities, commonly called “water footprints,” for an examination of the importance of this concept to the work of drinking water utilities, (2) to consider questions of whether and how the concept and metrics of water footprints may offer a new approach, or supplement other water sector initiatives, in conveying the value of water to a public that is often unwilling to pay the full cost of the water on which they depend, (3) to identify opportunities for drinking water utilities to integrate the water footprint into appropriate planning and communications to support a sustainable water utility and sustainable communities; and (4) to propose a water footprint road map for leadership, research or integration opportunities for utilities and the water sector.

To provide research results on data or information gaps that will help inform the upcoming long term revisions to the lead and copper rule (LCR).

In order to facilitate the control of biofilms, this project aims to: 1) assess alternative biofilm sampling approaches, 2) develop better understanding of the effectiveness of available approaches for sampling pathogens and indicators within drinking water system biofilms, and 3) provide understanding on the most practical and accurate methods for biofilm sampling based on the specific application.

Many utilities are not equipped to address the challenges of revenue gaps, which are exacerbated by rising customer expectations, declining water consumption, aging infrastructure, and necessary integration of utility finance functions with asset management, environmental justice, risk management, and other initiatives. The products of this project will lay the groundwork for a shift in thinking by utilities to modernize financial and management practices by strengthening linkages among systems, processes, and decision-making practices.

This project has two objectives. The primary objective is to predict/evaluate how green building designs may impact water quality issues in building premise plumbing or possibly the distribution system (from reduced demand, etc.). The secondary objective is to collect, compile and report on non-water-quality-related impacts of green building and off-grid green building designs on centralized water utility system operations addressing such concerns as rate payer equity, service and connection charges, incentives or rebates, fire service supply, supply redundancy, main sizing, codes, and standards.

This project will describe how climate change may affect the frequency, severity, and types of algal blooms that impair water quality in reservoirs and lakes that serve as sources of drinking water.

The objective of this project is to provide guidance and tools to help water utilities: 1) Understand the variables that affect key stakeholders’ (i.e., governing boards, policy-making officials, special interest groups, media) perceptions of climate change and expectations of their water utility; 2) Evaluate key stakeholders’ knowledge and perceptions of climate change effects on water resource quantity and quality, drinking water reliability and demand, and water cost, and their expectations of their water utility related to adaptation or mitigation actions; and 3) Apply the knowledge to develop communication strategies, tools and messages, with an emphasis on building support for water utility climate adaptation or mitigation projects.

Synthesize existing knowledge on main breaks and produce a guidance manual for utilities. Create a multi-year multi-project research roadmap to improve the understanding of main breaks.

Develop an analysis and guidance tool for users of the leakage assessment and control approaches in the 3rd edition of AWWA M-36 Water Audits and Loss Control Programs ("M36"). This tool will standardize and strengthen use of the leakage components in the current tool set.

This project will investigate and advise on how adaptive management techniques can be applied to managing water assets that are subject to potential climate change impacts. It is intended as an initial scoping phase for the project, and commitment of further resources will be considered based on its outcome.

The objective of this project is to identify and prioritize research needed to assess and manage premise plumbing microbial risks.

The project will develop and test a methodology to collect standardized data to determine commercial, institutional and industrial (CII) end uses of water. This methodology can be used by utilities of various sizes to collect CII end use data for demand forecasting, rate design studies, benchmarking and conservation program planning.

The objective of this project is to advance knowledge and methods to predict the external corrosion of ductile iron (DI) pipe not protected by polyethylene (PE) encasement, including the investigation of non-intrusive and non-destructive methods to determine current condition/ predict future performance of DI pipe.

The purpose of this proposal is to further research acoustic signal processing to advance the use of this technology for pipe condition assessment. The acoustic signals that are relevant to this project include any acoustic signals, whether from a permanently deployed listening device (such as fiber optic cable or permanently installed hydrophones) or a device that is used only occasionally to ascertain current condition of a pipe including units that travel the pipe.