Sustainability of water supply infrastructure: a risk-based framework

我研究的长期目标是为市、地区/省和联邦机构制定和实施一个基于风险的决策框架，用于资源分配和资本投资，以确保饮用水供应的可持续性，并改善加拿大人安全饮用水的可及性。该研究计划的主要目标是开发新的技术、模型和决策支持工具。在本研究中，将发展饮用水供应综合管理的新知识和新认识。在这项研究中开发的模型、技术和工具将基于最先进的数学和统计方法。研究计划包括四个主要主题，包括：1)水源保护；2)供水系统可靠性；3)配网水质建模；4)供水基础设施资产管理。

The long-term objective of my research is to develop and implement a risk-based decision-making framework for Municipal, Territorial/ Provincial and Federal agencies for resource allocation and capital investment that will assure sustainability of drinking water supply and improve accessibility of safe drinking water for Canadians. The main thrust of the proposed research program is towards developing new techniques, models and decision support tools. In this research, new knowledge and understanding of integrated management for drinking water supply will be developed. Models, techniques and tools developed in this research will be based on state-of-the-art mathematical and statistical methods. The research program encompasses four major themes that include: 1) source water protection; 2) reliability of water supply system; 3) water quality modelling in distribution networks; and 4) asset management of water supply infrastructure. Access to 'safe' and 'affordable' drinking water is a basic human right. Though the problem is partially resolved in most of the Western World, it still poses serious threats due to increasing pressures like, population growth, industrialization, and resource depletion/ degradation. Many international agencies/ organizations (e.g., Bonn Charter, WHO guidelines) emphasize the need for proactive risk management of water supply systems. The main feature of the proposed research program is to focus not only on the end-of-pipe verification and implementation of management control systems (i.e., regular water quality monitoring) but also emphasizes the need for evaluation of risks at all points throughout the water supply system. In the longer run, the proposed risk management framework will also improve water utilities' abilities to address water quality issues stemming from security-related events. A pool of highly qualified personnel (HQP) will be trained over the course of the proposed research program. The research program will prepare HQP for water sector, and will also help them to develop analytical and problem solving skills that will be useful for their placement in engineering industry in general.