RAPID: Synergistic Impacts of Corrosive Water and Interrupted Corrosion Control on Chemical/Microbiological Water Quality: Flint, MI

1556258爱德华弗林特，密歇根州，目前正遭受“完美风暴”归因于失控的腐蚀，其老化的饮用水分配系统。假设是，这些情况也将对弗林特居民造成严重的化学/生物健康风险，包括饮用水中铅含量升高和机会性前提管道病原体。收集的初步数据显示，铅含量非常高，用水20分钟的平均浓度超过2,000 ppb（世界卫生组织饮用水含铅量允许值的200倍）。这项研究的主要目的是：1）比较氯、铁、粪便指示细菌、机会性前提管道病原体的水平，和存在于具有不受控制的腐蚀（Flint）的分配系统的水管中的腐蚀诱导细菌与仍然使用非腐蚀性水的周围城市/县相比，2）描述在这些相同位置的冷热饮用水系统中的机会性前提管道病原体的发生，以及3）确定是否有证据表明弗林特的房屋中铅含量升高，如果是，则在法医学上确定与配电系统中铁腐蚀的联系。目前，“完美风暴”的要素包括：对腐蚀控制在维持城市饮用水系统中的作用认识不足，以及弗林特新水源中氯化物含量较高导致腐蚀加剧。弗林特发生的高腐蚀率正在向水中释放高水平的铁，并消耗氯消毒剂，我们最近的实验室测试表明，这将增加铅向水中的释放，并增加冷热水管道系统中机会性管道病原体的生长。不幸的是，弗林特目前的情况提供了一个独特的机会，提供了一个理想的机会，现场测试我们最近的发现，关于铁腐蚀对化学/微生物水质的潜在不利后果，在现场，而不是实验室规模。本文使用的一般结果和方法可以告知美国其他城市的居民和管理者，他们将很快处理与由于过度使用道路盐和海平面上升而导致的水中氯化物增加而加剧的饮用水基础设施故障相关的类似问题。

1556258EdwardsFlint, MI, is currently suffering from a "perfect storm" attributable to out-of-control corrosion of its aging potable water distribution system. The hypothesis is that these circumstances will also create severe chemical/biological health risks for Flint residents, including elevated levels of lead and opportunistic premise plumbing pathogens in drinking water. Preliminary data collected has revealed extraordinarily high levels of lead, with average concentrations over 20 minutes of water use exceeding 2,000 ppb ( 200 times the World Health Organization allowable levels for lead in potable water).The main objectives of this research are to: 1) compare levels of chlorine, iron, fecal indicator bacteria, opportunistic premise plumbing pathogens, and corrosion-inducing bacteria present in water mains of a distribution system with uncontrolled corrosion (Flint) versus surrounding cities/counties still using non-corrosive water, 2) profile opportunistic premise plumbing pathogens occurrence in hot and cold potable water systems at these same locations, and 3) determine if there is evidence of elevated lead in Flint homes, and, if so, forensically determine the links to iron corrosion in the distribution system. The elements of the "perfect storm" currently include: under-appreciation of the role of corrosion control in sustaining urban potable water systems and increased corrosion due to higher chloride in Flint's new source water. The high rates of corrosion occurring in Flint are releasing high levels of iron to water and consuming chlorine disinfectant, which our most recent laboratory testing has indicated will increase lead release to water and growth of opportunistic premise plumbing pathogens in cold and hot water plumbing systems. The unfortunate but unique opportunity offered by Flint's current situation, provides an ideal opportunity to field test our recent discoveries regarding potentially adverse consequences of iron corrosion on chemical/microbiological water quality at field rather than laboratory scale. The general results and approach used herein can inform residents and managers of other U.S. cities, who will soon be dealing with similar problems associated with failing potable water infrastructure exacerbated by increased chloride in water due to excessive use of road salt and rising sea levels.