Public health risk assessment of microbial contamination events in distribution systems: Impact of parameters and model construct

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The main goal of this research program is to develop a model based on quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) to evaluate the public health risks associated with microbial contamination events in drinking water distribution systems (DS) resulting from (i) intrusion associated with low pressure conditions, (ii) contamination from cross-connections and backflow, and (iii) contamination due to main installation, repair or rehabilitation practices. Such a tool is needed (i) to provide support to regulatory agencies in developing guidance or regulations related to DS management, and (ii) to provide risk management strategies to water utilities in order to minimize risk for public health along with a very needed answer on the actual health risks and urgency of costly upgrades of distribution infrastructures and operations. While the main building blocks of such a model have been laid out by the candidate as part of her post-doctoral studies at USEPA, the model only addressed intrusion events related to low pressures. Limitations have been identified regarding the estimation of contaminant entry and simulation of fate and transport, and further work is needed for a widespread application to various DS configurations.