Mathematical model as a tool to ensure high quality of drinking water in a distribution system

Corrosion of iron pipes negatively influences the quality of distributed water in many aspects. Colour, turbidity, conductivity and iron concentration increase, whereas dissolved oxygen and active chlorine decrease. Corrosion can also cause a failure of pipes and secondary contamination of drinking water. This paper deals with changes of water quality in a distribution network and with the use of the Epanet 2 program for modelling of increasing iron concentrations during the distribution of drinking water. This research is being conducted in cooperation with the operator of the South Bohemian Waterworks providing transport of drinking water from the Plav WTP (Water Treatment Plant) to the Hodugin water tank. The data required for this analysis were measured and evaluated, and the model was set up and calibrated using the average values of the first set of measured data. Different variants of kinetics and coefficients were evaluated and the best of them were verified. The aim of this research is to reduce corrosion and ensure better water quality not only with respect to iron concentrations, but also for other parameters, for example, total active and free chlorine, water stability, and so on. Corrosion rates were also measured and different types of corrosion were detected.