A questionnaire and a concentrator sampling technique used to evaluate water quality degradation in water distribution systems

Two approaches for the examination of microbially-caused degradation of water quality within water distribution systems were considered: the results of a questionnaire were analyzed and a sampling technique utilizing a concentrator was evaluated. A questionnaire, completed by water treatment plant operators in Virginia, was analyzed to ascertain what complaints regarding water quality were being received and what the causes of the complaints were. The most frequently reported complaints were those of taste and odor. Although they were not the sole factor, it appears nuisance bacteria were causative agents in degradation problems related to turbidity and red water. The Pellicon cassette system concentrator was evaluated for use during sampling in water distribution systems. The evaluation included determining the range of percent recovery in the retentate to be expected and the factors affecting this recovery. Thirty to sixty percent recovery of bacteria (Pseudomonas cepacia or Escherichia coli) in the retentate can be expected. The percent reduction in volume was the system parameter which most affected the percent recovery.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Civil Engineering

Department dc:contributor.department

Civil Engineering

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Year dc:date.issued

1982

Author dc:creator

• Manning, Deborah Kathleen

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10919/87236

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/87236