Contaminant Intrusion through Leaks in Water Distribution System: Experimental Analysis

This paper presents the results of experimental tests on the intrusion of contaminant through pipe cracks in water distribution network resulting from low/negative pressures. The tests were carried out on a looped distribution network at the University of Enna and were performed first producing a pressure transient that causes negative pressures then reproducing intermittent supply. A soluble contaminant was added to the water volume in the network through a pipe crack. Sampling of water volume was carried out in two nodes of the network and the contaminant concentrations were measured. It was showed that: the contaminant was drawn in and transported, in the first set of tests; the contaminant was carried through the network to the point-of-use when the pipes become completely full and the distribution system was in steady state conditions, in the second, and that the concentrations was higher than in the first set of tests.