Utilities must understand the issues involved when multiple source waters are blended,
particularly the effect on distribution system water quality. This article describes a
multiobjective technique that can help evaluate blends to identify acceptable water quality
for simultaneous control of lead, copper, iron, and monochloramine levels in distribution
systems. Blends of three source waters - groundwater, surface water, and desalinated
water - were evaluated. Modeling results indicated that different pipe materials often have
conflicting water quality requirements for release abatement. For example, corrosion of
copper and lead pipes was increased by increasing alkalinity, whereas increasing alkalinity
was beneficial in reducing the release of iron corrosion products from pipes. Increasing
sulfates reduced lead release but increased iron release. These conflicting water quality
requirements for lead, copper, and iron release mean that utilities must evaluate the tradeoffs
between water quality and corrosion response. Includes 10 references, tables.