Mahmoud H. Badawy, Vedika Bakshi, Sigrid Peldszus, Robin M. Slawson, Peter M. Huck
{"title":"Orthophosphate and Residence Time Impacts in Chloraminated Model Distribution Systems","authors":"Mahmoud H. Badawy, Vedika Bakshi, Sigrid Peldszus, Robin M. Slawson, Peter M. Huck","doi":"10.1002/aws2.70045","DOIUrl":"10.1002/aws2.70045","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The combined effects of orthophosphate addition and residence time on chloramine stability, biofilm development, and nitrification potential in drinking water distribution systems (DWDSs) remain unexplored. Most previous studies examined orthophosphate dose under fixed residence time conditions, leaving a gap in understanding how water age modifies these impacts. This study evaluated the effects of orthophosphate and residence time (6/12 days) on monochloramine decay, biofilm growth, and nitrification potential using bench-scale systems. At the 12-day residence time, chloramine decay, biofilm growth, and nitrite accumulation were significantly greater, with orthophosphate amplifying these effects. Biofilm metabolic activity initially increased with orthophosphate before converging with the control, while bulk water metabolic activity remained higher. Genetic profiling revealed microbial community shifts under extended residence time and orthophosphate. These findings demonstrate that orthophosphate, when combined with longer residence times, can accelerate microbial activity and nitrification, highlighting the need to manage both factors to safeguard water quality.</p>","PeriodicalId":101301,"journal":{"name":"AWWA water science","volume":"7 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-12-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://awwa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/aws2.70045","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145739493","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Juneseok Lee, Elizabeth Murphy, Fatemeh Hatam, Michele Prevost
{"title":"Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation for Water Distribution Systems: Physical, Hydraulic, and Water Quality Integrity","authors":"Juneseok Lee, Elizabeth Murphy, Fatemeh Hatam, Michele Prevost","doi":"10.1002/aws2.70044","DOIUrl":"10.1002/aws2.70044","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Water distribution systems (WDS) are critical infrastructures essential for human well-being and economic prosperity. However, climate change (CC) is increasingly causing variational environmental stress and natural disasters that threaten the integrity of these systems. Without resilient and sustainable WDS, societies will struggle to function effectively. This review article examines the impact of CC on the integrity of WDS, focusing on <i>physical, hydraulic, and water quality</i> aspects. It presents a synthesis of recently published peer-reviewed journal articles that address these dimensions, while acknowledging their synergistic interrelationships. The paper presents adaptation strategies and highlights utility case studies aimed at strengthening the resilience of WDS against the impacts of CC.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":101301,"journal":{"name":"AWWA water science","volume":"7 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-12-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145694985","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Asbestos Cement Pipes in Water Distribution Systems: Health Risks, Regulations, and Management","authors":"Johannes Gérson Janzen","doi":"10.1002/aws2.70043","DOIUrl":"10.1002/aws2.70043","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This review introduces a novel risk-based management framework for asbestos cement (AC) pipes in drinking water systems, emphasizing maintenance practices and occupational health risks while harmonizing global regulatory and utility practices. Inhalation risks are well established, but WHO guidance indicates negligible risks from ingestion, not warranting regulatory limits. The framework addresses gaps in fiber release monitoring, standardizing protocols to minimize occupational exposure. AC pipes, deployed since the 1920s, persist in many systems despite phase outs. The study highlights deficiencies in fiber release under varying water corrosivity, advocating management of aging infrastructure through GIS tracking, non-destructive testing (NDT), and phased replacement, informed by case studies from Australia and New Zealand. Airborne exposure underscores the need for standardized protocols. Public engagement and evidence-based decisions are essential where immediate replacement is not mandated. This global synthesis integrates regulatory guidance, utility practices, and health data into an actionable framework.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":101301,"journal":{"name":"AWWA water science","volume":"7 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-11-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145537956","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Interface of Weather and Climate: The Great Midwest Flood of 2008","authors":"Russell L. Cuhel, Carmen Aguilar","doi":"10.1002/aws2.70041","DOIUrl":"10.1002/aws2.70041","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Ten days of continuous torrential rain pushed warm late Spring runoff in deltaic patterns far into Lake Michigan over two subsequent months. Repeated expeditions on the <i>RV Neeskay</i> documented shallow lenses of plankton-enriched water spreading across the surface at 1 km (0.6 mi) per day for months, reaching halfway across the lake, and often running against prevailing currents. Floating cohesively near the surface, a trail of strong, river-harbor-originating biological productivity long outlasted chemical evidence of stormwater efflux in depleted coastal and offshore regions. Only sinking algal populations descended into cooler midwater depths. Previously depauperated siliceous protein- and lipid-rich diatom algae were strongly favored, suggesting a change in water chemistry not readily detected in standard water quality measurements. Initial community outgrowth in near-surface water was evident through turbidity and enhanced biomass as a wave of growth moved offshore, trailed by resurgence of midwater diatom community blooms. Anomalously high surface chloride moved past 25 km 30 days after peak flow. Conductivity is a valuable tool for detection of riverine and harbor water intrusion, as runoff-fed rivers have higher dissolved salts than receiving waters. Endurance of impact indicated that sources far from intakes could pose water quality risks for stable substances. Seasonal temperatures controlled river–lake interactions as Spring runoff warmed by surfaces was buoyant on cool lakewater. Nearshore water treatment intakes thus lay well below the initial surface lens outflows, but biological products would have impinged on them during subsequent sinking. Operational recommendations for predictive event assessment by water producers are provided.</p>","PeriodicalId":101301,"journal":{"name":"AWWA water science","volume":"7 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-10-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://awwa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/aws2.70041","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145366612","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Samantha J. Smith, Brooke N. Gray, Esther W. Hughes, Levi M. Haupert, Isabella L. Bass, Eric J. Kleiner, Ben J. Burkhart, Sophia G. Pedigo, Jackson D. Quinn, Gulizhaer Abulikemu, Jonathan G. Pressman, George A. Sorial, David G. Wahman
{"title":"Estimating Ion Exchange Resin Intraparticle Diffusion Coefficients: Method Development and Nitrate Application","authors":"Samantha J. Smith, Brooke N. Gray, Esther W. Hughes, Levi M. Haupert, Isabella L. Bass, Eric J. Kleiner, Ben J. Burkhart, Sophia G. Pedigo, Jackson D. Quinn, Gulizhaer Abulikemu, Jonathan G. Pressman, George A. Sorial, David G. Wahman","doi":"10.1002/aws2.70042","DOIUrl":"10.1002/aws2.70042","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Gel-type anion exchange (AEX) resin performance is impacted by internal mass transfer, which is represented by the solid-phase intraparticle diffusion coefficient (<i>D</i><sub><i>s</i></sub>). Importantly, <i>D</i><sub><i>s</i></sub> values are required inputs to ion exchange treatment process models but are rarely reported. Previous experiments using gel-type AEX resins exhibited external mass transfer control, preventing <i>D</i><sub><i>s</i></sub> estimation for several anions, including perfluoroalkyl substances. To reduce external mass transfer resistance and allow <i>D</i><sub><i>s</i></sub> estimation, a stainless-steel centrifugal stirrer device was standardized and validated with nitrate (model anion). Initially, experiments were conducted across mixing speeds (750–1750 rpm) to balance (1) maximizing external mass transfer and (2) preventing flow disturbances. Subsequently, experiments used an optimized speed to estimate nitrate <i>D</i><sub><i>s</i></sub> at multiple initial concentrations on three gel-type AEX resins. The developed methodology was useful for determining nitrate <i>D</i><sub><i>s</i></sub> and should enable improved <i>D</i><sub><i>s</i></sub> estimates for other contaminants, including perfluoroalkyl substances, needed for ion exchange treatment process models.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":101301,"journal":{"name":"AWWA water science","volume":"7 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145317159","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Correction to “Estimating the Relationship Between Water Utility Workforce Quality and Water Utility Performance”","authors":"","doi":"10.1002/aws2.70040","DOIUrl":"10.1002/aws2.70040","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Saywitz, R. R. 2025. “Estimating the Relationship Between Water Utility Workforce Quality and Water Utility Performance.” <i>AWWA Water Science</i> 7, no. 5: e70032. https://doi.org/10.1002/aws2.70032.</p><p>The word “compliance” in the second to last sentence of the abstract should be “violations.”</p><p>The corrected abstract is presented below.</p><p>\u0000 <b>ABSTRACT</b>\u0000 </p><p>Workforce quality has been a major concern in the water utility sector for decades. While previous research presumes that workforce quality plays an important role in water utility performance, no research to date has explored this relationship empirically. This study represents a first attempt at quantifying the relationship between workforce quality and performance using a dataset containing water utilities in Texas serving over 500 customers, data on Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) violations, and water utility operator classes. The results of two negative binomial models, where the dependent variables are the count of SDWA health and SDWA monitoring and reporting violations between 2020 and 2024, show that workforce quality has a substantively large and statistically significant negative effect on SDWA violations across both types of violations. An additional analysis explores the interactive effect of workforce quality and median income and workforce quality and water source on utility performance.</p><p>We apologize for this error.</p>","PeriodicalId":101301,"journal":{"name":"AWWA water science","volume":"7 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-10-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://awwa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/aws2.70040","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145271653","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Indirect Electrochemical Regeneration of Manganese Oxide (MnOx) – Coated Media","authors":"Carrie Ellis, Joseph E. Goodwill","doi":"10.1002/aws2.70038","DOIUrl":"10.1002/aws2.70038","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Manganese (Mn) in drinking water poses aesthetic, health, and operational concerns. One common removal method involves adsorbing soluble Mn(II) onto manganese (III/IV) oxide (MnO<sub>x</sub>)-coated media, but this approach typically relies on chemical reagents for surface regeneration. In systems lacking chemical storage, dosing, and containment capacity, this may be impractical. This study demonstrated an alternative regeneration technique using an electrochemical reactor for in situ oxidant production at conditions relevant to drinking water treatment. The reactor generated oxidants, likely free chlorine, and increased the pH of the applied water. Across batch-scale recirculating, intermittent regeneration, and single-pass continuous regeneration experiments, electrochemically regenerated MnO<sub>x</sub>-coated media produced ~90% removal of Mn(II), achieving a common treatment goal of 0.02 mg/L. Regeneration was also confirmed by analyzing the average oxidation state of the MnO<sub>x</sub> surface. Performance depended on several factors, such as raw water Mn, applied voltage, and alkalinity. Although modeling and Mn fractionation suggested limited homogenous oxidation of Mn(II), the formation of some colloidal MnO<sub>x</sub> may have confounded results in some experimental situations. These findings highlight a promising, reagent-free strategy for regenerating oxide-coated media, expanding its applicability for water treatment, especially in isolated systems and point-of-use applications.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":101301,"journal":{"name":"AWWA water science","volume":"7 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-10-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://awwa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/aws2.70038","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145223798","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Patrick W. King, Benjamin F. Trueman, Sigrid Peldszus, Anushka Mishrra, Kimia Aghasadeghi, Graham A. Gagnon, Daniel E. Giammar, Nastaran Mosavari Nezamabad, Peter M. Huck
{"title":"Comparison of Real Versus Synthetic NOM on Lead and Copper Release Using Dump and Fill Studies","authors":"Patrick W. King, Benjamin F. Trueman, Sigrid Peldszus, Anushka Mishrra, Kimia Aghasadeghi, Graham A. Gagnon, Daniel E. Giammar, Nastaran Mosavari Nezamabad, Peter M. Huck","doi":"10.1002/aws2.70039","DOIUrl":"10.1002/aws2.70039","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The main objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the impact of real and synthetic NOM on lead and copper release from galvanic corrosion. A 21-week “dump and fill” experiment was completed using test pieces with new lead and copper pipes exposed to various drinking waters. The real waters consisted of unchlorinated, but otherwise conventionally treated, river water and raw municipal well water. Each real water was simulated using two synthetic waters: one with Suwannee River NOM (SRNOM) at the same DOC concentration as in the real water and another without NOM. The synthetic waters with SRNOM released the most dissolved lead, followed by the real waters, and finally by the synthetic waters without SRNOM. Using advanced techniques of characterizing colloidal lead and NOM, complexation was found to be responsible for much of the NOM-induced dissolved lead release, and humic substances were the component that complexed most strongly.</p>","PeriodicalId":101301,"journal":{"name":"AWWA water science","volume":"7 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://awwa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/aws2.70039","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145146427","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Demystifying Impact of NOM Fouling in the Pore and Surface Diffusion Model","authors":"Jonathan B. Burkhardt","doi":"10.1002/aws2.70037","DOIUrl":"10.1002/aws2.70037","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Adsorption process modeling of drinking water systems can be a powerful tool for evaluating treatment performance, especially if the impact of natural organic matter (NOM), which can have a significant effect on system effectiveness, is considered. Models such as the pore and surface diffusion model (PSDM) in AdDesignS have been used extensively to model water treatment with granular activated carbon (GAC). PSDM can incorporate the impact of NOM on adsorption capacity; however, media fouling is only considered for five water types, limiting the extension of this approach or considering uncertainty in modeling results. A one-point derivation process to simplify parameter estimation is introduced to provide additional understanding about the mechanisms of fouling and how it could be implemented within the PSDM. This could allow users to consider other factors—specifically total organic carbon breakthrough—when incorporating fouling into their GAC performance predictions, leading to improvements in future modeling efforts.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":101301,"journal":{"name":"AWWA water science","volume":"7 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-09-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145122658","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Natchaya Luangphairin, J. Alan Roberson, Katherine Alfredo
{"title":"Evaluating State Nitrification Action Plans for Controlling Distribution System Nitrification and MDBPs","authors":"Natchaya Luangphairin, J. Alan Roberson, Katherine Alfredo","doi":"10.1002/aws2.70036","DOIUrl":"10.1002/aws2.70036","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>With public water systems switching to chloramination for secondary disinfection, distribution system nitrification and diminished disinfectant residuals are a growing concern. While some states have adopted Nitrification Action Plans (NAPs), no comparative assessment exists on their impact on drinking water quality trends. This study uses causal impact analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of state-mandated NAPs in controlling nitrification. Chloraminated systems with residual challenges before NAPs showed increased residuals and at least a 26% reduction in total coliform detection post-mandate. Maintaining chloramine residuals above 1.5 mg/L can prevent nitrification and reduce violations without significantly increasing disinfection byproduct occurrences. In contrast, states with no notable challenges before the plan's enactment saw limited benefits. These findings offer policymakers valuable insights into the plan's implications, supporting informed decision-making, especially in areas where nitrate violation hotspots exist without a current plan.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":101301,"journal":{"name":"AWWA water science","volume":"7 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-09-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145122657","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}