Water quality in a small network - problems and a proposal for their solution

The paper deals with the problem of deterioration of water quality in water supply networks. On the basis of relevant literature and his own research, the author points to a common occurrence of this phenomenon. The case study of a 3.5 km town network presented in the paper confirms the situation. The field tests of the water quality in that network detected a high concentration of iron and presence of lead contamination from PVC pipes. One of the methods of counteracting water quality deterioration used by water companies is flushing, accomplished as water outflow by fire hydrants. Unfortunately this method has several disadvantages, such as substantial water loss and the resulting costs. These factors dictate limitation of the flushing frequency as well of the duration of the process. In addition, the house pipes are not flushed at all. As a conceptual solution to this problem the author proposes, is the implementation of mobile flushing stations. The closed cycle applied during the flushing process can essentially reduce the water loss. The proposed solution has been tested by computer simulations. A simplified cost estimation of the implementation of the solution has also been presented.