Moving Material project aim is to improve understanding of particle behaviour that can help determine the likelihood of sedimentation in DWDS, thus allowing proactive management to decrease the risk of localised drinking water discolouration events. This research plans to investigate links between field data, laboratory studies, and modelling to improve understanding of sedimentation within DWDS. Finally, using improved insight of sedimentation, investigation of different distribution system hydraulic intervention strategies are planned to review potential pro-active management approaches to reduce discolouration risks to consumers.
To achieve the project aims and contribute to science and understanding, the following objectives will be addressed:
1. Determine idealised critical conditions that facilitate settling of particles and their remobilization in DWDS under controlled conditions.
2. Map location and magnitude of sedimentation zones in live networks.
3. Develop a framework that can estimate the location of sedimentation zones.
a. Investigate the level of model spatial and temporal resolution required to map sedimentation zones.
b. Develop metrics to differentiate pipes according to sedimentation risk (peak velocity, flow reversals, threshold duration etc).
4. Verify the framework with information from further independent data.
5. Show how understanding the critical conditions for sedimentation hot pots can be used to mitigate discolouration risk.
Last updated Jan 2022 by Reinar Lokk, rlokk1@sheffield.ac.uk