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Analyzing risk and uncertainty for improving water distribution system security from malevolent water supply contamination events

Previous efforts to apply risk analysis for water distribution systems (WDS) have
not typically included explicit hydraulic simulations in their methodologies. A risk
classification scheme is here employed for identifying vulnerable WDS components
subject to an intentional water contamination event. A Monte Carlo simulation is
conducted including uncertain stochastic diurnal demand patterns, seasonal demand,
initial storage tank levels, time of day of contamination initiation, duration of
contamination event, and contaminant quantity.
An investigation is conducted on exposure sensitivities to the stochastic inputs
and on mitigation measures for contaminant exposure reduction. Mitigation measures
include topological modifications to the existing pipe network, valve installation, and an
emergency purging system. Findings show that reasonable uncertainties in model inputs
produce high variability in exposure levels. It is also shown that exposure level
distributions experience noticeable sensitivities to population clusters within the
contaminant spread area. The significant uncertainty in exposure patterns leads to
greater resources needed for more effective mitigation.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:tamu.edu/oai:repository.tamu.edu:1969.1/ETD-TAMU-2696
Date15 May 2009
CreatorsTorres, Jacob Manuel
ContributorsBrumbelow, Kelly, Guikema, Seth D.
Source SetsTexas A and M University
Languageen_US
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeBook, Thesis, Electronic Thesis, text
Formatelectronic, application/pdf, born digital

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