Water quality sensor placement guidance using TEVA-SPOT

Stacey Schal, Amanda Lothes, L. Sebastian Bryson, Lindell Ormsbee

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

Contamination warning systems involve a network of sensors that can assess the water quality in a water distribution system and alert an operator of a potential contamination event. Utilities developing these water quality monitoring systems are faced with the decision of what locations are best suited for deployment of these sensors to maximize their ability to detect contamination events. TEVA-SPOT is a sensor placement software tool that uses an optimization algorithm to evaluate the hydraulic model of a system and recommend optimal locations for water quality sensor deployment. This paper presents a study in which several systems were investigated using the TEVA-SPOT software. A database of distribution system models of small utilities was first created to support this research. Models were then used in the TEVA-SPOT software and input data such as contamination scenario, number of sensors to be deployed, and sensor design objective were then assigned. The locations recommended by the software as optimal sensor locations were evaluated and investigated for patterns as compared with other systems. Each sensor placement recommendation was analyzed to determine the proximity of the sensor locations relative to one another and evaluated in terms of the need for additional sensors. Results of the sensor placement evaluation were grouped by system configuration, and trends were examined based on loop, grid, or branch configuration. The results of this study indicated that 50 to 75 percent of sensor designs had the two sensor locations placed close together for the loop and grid systems, respectively. However, no sensor designs had two sensor locations placed close together in the branch systems. These same trends were reflected in the need for additional sensors.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationWorld Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2013
Subtitle of host publicationShowcasing the Future - Proceedings of the 2013 Congress
Pages1022-1032
Number of pages11
DOIs
StatePublished - 2013
EventWorld Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2013: Showcasing the Future - Cincinnati, OH, United States
Duration: May 19 2013May 23 2013

Publication series

NameWorld Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2013: Showcasing the Future - Proceedings of the 2013 Congress

Conference

ConferenceWorld Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2013: Showcasing the Future
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityCincinnati, OH
Period5/19/135/23/13

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Water Science and Technology

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