Improved design and operations of building water systems to reduce health risks caused by water & energy conservation and extended shutdowns

改进建筑供水系统的设计和运行，以减少水造成的健康风险

• 批准号: RGPIN-2021-04341
• 负责人: Prévost, Michèle
• 金额: $ 3.79万
• 依托单位: École Polytechnique de Montréal
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2021
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2021-01-01 至 2022-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=742895
• 关键词: Improved; design; operations; building; water

Stagnation of water in building water systems can cause elevated concentrations of toxic metals and pathogens such as Legionella pneumophila, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Non Tuberculus Mycobacteria. Pathogens can be amplified within building water systems and cause outbreaks and community acquired disease. Legionella is now the most common cause of drinking water associated outbreaks and Legionnaire's disease rates are increasing rapidly. Maintaining water quality in buildings is a growing challenge because of the unintended consequences of water and energy conservations measures that have been shown to increase health risks. Such measures are highly justified but have unfortunately been implemented to legacy building systems without regard for water quality, often causing severe water quality losses. Recently, the SARS-CoV-2 global pandemic forced extended closures of a staggering number of buildings across Canada with extreme stagnation causing unsafe water. The research program aims to provide the evidence to base recommendations to improve the design and operations of building water systems and ensure the provision of safe water. The widespread implementation of low flow devices and thermostatic valves impacts water quality building in water systems. Energy conservation measures for hot water systems in large buildings such as heat exchangers, lowering of temperature set points have led to the proliferation of Legionella causing documented cases and fatalities in Canadian health care facilities. The consequences of these conservation measures is poorly documented and need to be quantified. The research program will address the key knowledge gaps through a combination of field investigations, pilot and bench scale assays, laboratory studies, risk analysis and regulatory impact investigations. Field studies will document the prevalence of pathogens, microbial diversity and the presence of toxic metals in building water systems across Canada using innovative sampling strategies. Intervention field studies will document the impacts of commissioning procedures and water conservation retrofits. Pilot studies will focus on the interplay between materials, water quality and water usage. Laboratory and bench-scale studies will quantify the production of aerosols and colonization potential of low flow faucets and showers to quantify the exposure pathways. Risk analysis (QMRA) models will be used to guide the selection of alert and action levels and define optimal regulatory frameworks. Research results will provide actionable evidence to reduce health risks to their occupants and will be conducted in close collaboration with utilities, regulators and associations with the clear intent of providing: a basis for streamlined and effective guidance and regulations, cost effective environmental monitoring programs, modifications of the building code, drinking water compatible material certification and reviewed building water system design approaches.

建筑供水系统中的水停滞会导致有毒金属和嗜肺军团菌、铜绿假单胞菌和非结核分枝杆菌等病原体浓度升高。病原体可在建筑供水系统内扩增，并引起疫情和社区获得性疾病。军团菌现在是饮用水相关暴发的最常见原因，军团病发病率正在迅速上升。由于节水和节能措施已被证明会增加健康风险，因此维持建筑物内的水质是一项日益严峻的挑战。这些措施是非常合理的，但不幸的是，在没有考虑水质的情况下，对遗留建筑系统实施了这些措施，往往造成严重的水质损失。最近，SARS-CoV-2全球大流行迫使加拿大各地数量惊人的建筑物延长关闭时间，极度停滞导致水不安全。该研究项目旨在为改善建筑供水系统的设计和运行，确保提供安全用水的建议提供证据。低流量装置和恒温阀的广泛应用影响了水系统的水质建设。大型建筑热水系统的节能措施，如热交换器，降低温度设定点，导致军团菌的扩散，在加拿大卫生保健机构造成记录在案的病例和死亡。这些保护措施的后果记录不足，需要量化。该研究计划将通过实地调查、试点和实验规模分析、实验室研究、风险分析和监管影响调查的结合来解决关键的知识差距。实地研究将记录病原体的流行，微生物的多样性和有毒金属的存在在建设水系统在加拿大各地使用创新的采样策略。干预实地研究将记录调试程序和节水改造的影响。试点研究将侧重于材料、水质和用水之间的相互作用。实验室和实验规模的研究将量化气溶胶的产生和低流量水龙头和淋浴的定植潜力，以量化暴露途径。风险分析（QMRA）模型将用于指导警报和行动级别的选择，并定义最佳监管框架。研究结果将为减少居住者的健康风险提供可操作的证据，并将与公用事业、监管机构和协会密切合作，提供明确的意图：简化和有效的指导和法规的基础，具有成本效益的环境监测计划，修改建筑规范，饮用水兼容材料认证和审查建筑水系统设计方法。