Development, application, and sensitivity analysis of a water quality index for drinking water management in small systems

Abstract

The aim of this study was to produce a drinking water assessment tool for operators of small distribution systems. A drinking water quality index (DWQI) was developed and applied to small systems based on the water quality index of the Canadian Council of Ministers of Environment. The drinking water quality index was adapted to specific needs by creating four drinking water quality scenarios. First, the temporal and spatial dimensions of drinking water quality variability were taken into account. The DWQI was designed to express global drinking water quality according to different monitoring frequencies. Daily, monthly, and seasonal assessment was also considered. With the data made available, it was possible to use the index as a spatial monitoring tool and express water quality in different points in the distribution system. Moreover, adjustments were made to prioritize the type of contaminant to monitor. For instance, monitoring contaminants with acute health effects led to a scenario based on daily measures, including easily accessible and affordable water quality parameters. On the other hand, contaminants with chronic effects, especially disinfection by-products, were considered in a seasonal monitoring scenario where disinfection by-product reference values were redefined according to their seasonal variability. A sensitivity analysis was also carried out to validate the index. Globally, the DWQI developed is adapted to the needs of small systems. In fact, expressing drinking water quality using the DWQI contributes to the identification of problematic periods and segments in the distribution system. Further work may include this index in the development of a customized decision-making tool for small-system operators and managers.

Association of Physicochemical Characteristics, Aggregate Indices, Major Ions, and Trace Elements in Developing Groundwater Quality Index (GWQI) in Agricultural Area

“…A sensitivity analysis was implemented to evaluate the statistical verification of the index and measure the impact of changes on the index expression for index verification purposes. The sensitivity analysis was important in the development of the index due to the flexibility and the ease of the index computation [ 31 ]. The changes in the cumulative index value show any modification in the average parameter concentration.…”

“…The selection of dominant parameters in the GWQI was based on the literature review from previous studies across the world, including Malaysia, and the recommendations from the Mineral of Geoscience Department Malaysia (JMG) which is the authoritative agency for groundwater studies in Malaysia [ 18 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 ]. Thirty-four parameters were considered in the development of GWQI, which were differentiated into four subgroups: physicochemical characteristics, aggregate indicators, major ions, and trace elements.…”

Drinking water quality indices: a systematic review

“…et al (2019);Batabyal and Chakraborty (2015);Scheili et al (2015);Jasmin and Mallikarjuna (2014);Cooray et al (2019);Avvannavar and Shrihari (2008);Bordalo and Savva-Bordalo (2007);Ramesh et al (2010);Gharibi et al (2012);Hurley et al (2012);Mohebbi et al (2013);Abtahi et al (2015);Barakat et al (2018);Ponsadailakshmi et al (2018);Masocha et al (2019);Mukate et al (2019). Nitrate (13)Paca et al (2019);Batabyal and Chakraborty (2015);Jasmin and Mallikarjuna (2014);Bordalo and Savva-Bordalo (2007);Ramesh et al (2010);Gharibi et al (2012);Hurley et al (2012);Mohebbi et al (2013);Abtahi et al (2015);Barakat et al (2018);Ponsadailakshmi et al (2018);Masocha et al (2019);Mukate et al (2019).…”