The Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule (D/DBPR) will require
Community Water Systems to conduct an Initial Distribution System Evaluation (IDSE).
The IDSE is intended to identify new compliance monitoring sites within the water
distribution system that more accurately reflect sites representing high total trihalomethanes (TTHM) and haloacetic acids (HAA5)
levels than those sites currently used for compliance. They will be based either on
system specific monitoring or other system specific data that provides equivalent or better
information on site selection. Systems will recommend new or revised monitoring sites
to their State/Primacy Agency based on their IDSE study.
For systems without DBP formation problems, conducting an extensive monitoring
program to meet the IDSE requirements may yield little valuable information for the cost
incurred. Water utilities in this situation may be better served by conducting a system
specific study that produces information useful to the utility beyond fulfilling the
requirements of the IDSE.
In lieu of conducting an extensive monitoring program to identify distribution system
locations with high DBP levels, the City of Golden, Colorado has conducted a system
specific study as allowed by the Stage 2 Rule. This study will provide comparable or
superior selection of new monitoring sites that target high DBP levels. In order to
achieve this goal, two primary components must be understood: water quality changes
and hydraulic conditions in the distribution system.
This paper will present the integrated hydraulic and water quality model used to predict
DBP formation in the Golden distribution system. This paper also focuses on
distribution system modeling, along with operational issues. With regards to Golden,
results of new monitoring site selection are discussed. Finally, recommendations
are given for other utilities considering IDSE system specific studies.