New Frontiers in Water Distribution System Management and Monitoring: First Development of a Water Safety Plan Based on Heritage Building Information Modeling (HBIM) in Neptune Fountain, Bologna, Italy

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the introduction of a water safety plan (WSP) approach on drinking water, in all types of settings. This study represents the first WSP developed on the Neptune Fountain, in Bologna (Italy), based on an interdisciplinary approach, integrating hydraulic and microbiological features, in a Building Information Modeling (BIM). The aim was to develop a dynamic and digital platform to update and share the maintenance program, promoting collaboration among microbiologists, engineers, and municipal staff. Water samples were collected along fountain water distribution systems (WDS) from 2016 to 2021 to monitor water quality through the heterotrophic bacteria at 22 °C and 37 °C, as well as to conduct an Enterococci, Coliform bacteria, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Clostridium perfringens, and Staphylococcus aureus assessment. Simultaneously, hydraulic measures were performed, and advanced geomatics techniques were used to detect the WDS structural components, with a focus on the water treatment system (WTS). The WTS consisted of 10 modules corresponding to specific treatments: descaling, carbon–sand filtration, reverse osmosis, and ultraviolet disinfection. Fecal indicators, heterotrophic bacteria, and P. aeruginosa exceeded the reference limits in most of the modules. Several disinfections and washing treatments, other than changing the maintenance procedure scheduling, were performed, improving the WTS and controlling the contamination. The developed microbiological results, hydraulic measurements, and maintenance procedures were integrated in the BIM model to optimize the data storage, updating procedures and the real-time data sharing. This approach improved the fountain management, operation, and material conservation, ultimately preserving the health of daily visitors.