AWWA WSC61396

This abstract summarizes the status and initial findings of a current U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) project to review the state-of-the-art technologies for integrated early warning systems (EWSs) for drinking water, particularly for finished water supplies and distribution systems. This project outlines desired characteristics of an integrated EWS and summarizes and evaluates current and emerging EWS technologies for identifying general categories of chemical, microbial, and radiological contaminants. Specifically, it examines the state of sensor technology (including multi-parameter water quality monitors) to detect the contaminants, systems to transmit, acquire, and analyze data, sensor placement, contaminant flow modeling, alert management, data security, and protocols for notification, decision making and emergency response. The project presents conclusions and recommendations regarding future directions of EWSs including technical issues and research gaps. Includes abstract only.