American Water Leads Research Projects Totaling $1.3 Million

Feb. 2, 2006

American Water, the largest water services provider in North America, announced it has funding for two select research projects. The projects, which total $1.3 million, are being funded in part by the American Water Works Association Research Foundation.

For the first project, American Water will work with HDR Engineers, Clancy Environmental Consultants, Ecole Polytechnique and Dalhousie University to evaluate bacterial management plans. The project team will develop a guidance manual to help utilities track and control coliform bacteria in water distribution systems. Nationwide, exceeding the Total Coliform bacterial standard is the most common drinking water violation experienced by public water systems, affecting over 11 million people.

“American Water has an excellent record of Total Coliform compliance, in part due to extensive research on the topic in the 1980s and 1990s,” notes Dr. Mark LeChevallier, director of research and environmental excellence at American Water. The project began in late-January 2006 and is scheduled for completion in two and a half years.

The second project, which will span the next two years, will elevate recently introduced leak detection technology to the next level. Working with the National Research Council of Canada, Flow Metrix and Hexagram, American Water researchers will use automatic meter reading systems to monitor and analyze acoustic vibrations in pipes, predicting if and when the pipes will burst. Project Manager David Hughes, an infrastructure engineer at American Water, explains, “If we can confirm that leaking water pipes go through several stages of progressive failure, then water utilities can proactively manage water main failures and schedule repairs within the distribution network.”

Leaks are a problem plaguing public water systems nationwide. The ability to manage leaks and predict when breaks might occur is instrumental to the preservation of water utility infrastructure.

Source: American Water

Sponsored Recommendations

Blower Package Integration

March 20, 2024
See how an integrated blower package can save you time, money, and energy, in a wastewater treatment system. With package integration, you have a completely integrated blower ...

Strut Comparison Chart

March 12, 2024
Conduit support systems are an integral part of construction infrastructure. Compare steel, aluminum and fiberglass strut support systems.

Energy Efficient System Design for WWTPs

Feb. 7, 2024
System splitting with adaptive control reduces electrical, maintenance, and initial investment costs.

Blower Isentropic Efficiency Explained

Feb. 7, 2024
Learn more about isentropic efficiency and specific performance as they relate to blowers.