Front matter for Premise Plumbing Modeling

Gravity Sanitary Sewer Design and Construction, 2nd Edition, edited by Paul Bizier (ASCE/EWRI 2007). ASCE MOP 60 and WEF MOP FD-5 provides theoretical and practical guidelines for the design and construction of gravity sanitary sewers. (ISBN 978-0-7844-0900-8)

Hydraulic Modeling: Concepts and Practice, edited by Robert Ettema (ASCE/EWRI 2000). MOP 97 presents the ideas behind model design and use for a broad spectrum of hydraulic modeling methods. (ISBN 978-0-7844-0415-7)

Hydraulics of Wells: Design, Construction, Testing, and Maintenance of Water Well Systems, by the Task Committee on Hydraulics of Wells; edited by Nazeer Ahmed, Stewart W. Taylor, and Zhuping Sheng (ASCE/EWRI 2014). MOP 127 guides hydraulic engineers and designers through the process of planning, designing, installing, maintaining, and troubleshooting water-well systems. (ISBN 978-0-7844-1273-2)

Low Impact Development Technology: Design Methods and Case Studies, edited by Michael Luis Clar, Robert Guy Traver, Shirley E. Clark, Shannon Lucas, Keith Lichten, Michael Allan Ports, Aaron Poretsky. (ASCE/EWRI 2015). This collection contains 22 papers addressing low impact development technology presented at the 2011 Low Impact Development Conference, held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September 25–28, 2011. (ISBN 978-0-7844-1388-3)

Water Resource Systems Analysis through Case Studies: Data and Models for Decision Making, edited by David W. Watkins, Jr. (ASCE/EWRI 2013). This book contains 10 case studies suitable for classroom use to demonstrate engineers’ use of widely available modeling software in evaluating complex environmental and water resources systems. (ISBN 978-0-7844-1287-9)

Over the last half century or so, the civil and environmental engineering profession has studied and advanced the field of water distribution modeling, both from a hydraulic and a water quality perspective. However, existing analyses of water distribution systems generally stop at the curb. Although some drinking water regulations extend to the point of consumption (i.e., the tap), there has been relatively little work related to the movement and transformation of water from the curb stop/service line to the tap. A lack of research on how water quality changes after the distribution system (i.e., within the building water system) is an important gap that is directly linked to public safety.

Water quality within buildings is a complex issue that is driven by plumbing materials, layout, and usage patterns. Stagnation that is common in premise plumbing systems allows time for various water quality changes to occur. So far, most of these problems have primarily been approached from the narrow perspective of water chemistry/microbial aspects in laboratory conditions or field sampling efforts. However, it is critical to approach these topics holistically because the fate and transport of water contaminants are dictated by their inherent hydraulics, demand, and systems characteristics within premise plumbing.

This book discusses and examines the various aspects of premise plumbing systems and how they have been and could be modeled for the purposes of effective engineering design and operation. In addition, special emphasis is placed on highlighting the weaknesses and limitations in current premise plumbing modeling (PPM) efforts. We hope that this book (1) supports an improved understanding of key phenomena that occur within our premise plumbing, which is expected to lead to better planning, design, analysis, and operational decision-making; and (2) provides new opportunities to develop/optimize building water systems operations and management strategies. An advanced PPM can create new knowledge that will lead to safer designs for low flow building water systems, as well as better design and maintenance strategies for water distribution/supply systems.

This book serves as a valuable reference for water researchers and instruction material for graduate students in environmental science and engineering and as valuable guidance for practicing engineers and water utility personnel involved in building water system management and modeling.