Management of chlorine dosing rates in urban water distribution networks using online continuous monitoring and modeling

The aim of this study is to present the results of a research which was undertaken to manage chlorine dosing rates in a real water distribution network using online continuous monitoring and modeling. The study area was divided into 18 district metered areas (DMAs) where the water pressure and flow rate measurements to each DMA were online and continuous. Besides, online water quality sensors were installed at eight different locations and a bimonthly water quality measurement and sampling program was carried out. The data sets required to set, calibrate and verify the hydraulic and chlorine models were derived from the online continuous monitoring and sampling program. Eight chlorine management scenarios that take into consideration the extreme conditions found out during the online monitoring and sampling were utilized. The study revealed that online monitoring provides excellent data sets for chlorine modeling and management that enables automatic application of chlorine dosing. © 2014 Taylor & Francis.