Identifying hydraulic conditions for discolouration material accumulation

Understanding the interactions between hydraulic conditions and the accumulation of discolouration material in drinking water distribution systems is crucial to help identify risk locations and inform effective maintenance. With two accumulation processes now acknowledged and the known range in size and characteristics of discolouration material, this is not a trivial challenge. A full-scale pipe loop system, adapted for precise flow control and with multiple turbidity monitors, was dosed with discolouration material collected from operational networks. By tracking changes in bulk water material loading, this study indicates that at above 1.25 L/s (0.25 m/s, Re 15,000, 0.213 N/m2), a change in accumulation behaviour occurs.