Sponsored
by Security, Emergency, Preparedness and Response
Institute (SEPRI) UMass, Amherst
Securing
the Water Supply: Using
Detailed Simulations to Anticipate the Spread of
Contaminants
David Schmidt, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA
Lessons
from Chernobyl
George Markowsky, University of Maine, Orono, ME
Resilient
Communication Networks for Environmental Emergencies
Aura Ganz
Pathogen
Capture in Water using Floating Film
Elaine Mullen, MITRE Corporation, McLean, VA
Coordination
in Emergency Response Actions Using Integrated Decision
Framework
Abhijit V. Deshmukh, University of Massachusetts,
Amherst, MA
Securing
the Water Supply: Using
Detailed Simulations to Anticipate the Spread of
Contaminants
David P. Schmidt,
Department
of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of
Massachusetts, 160 Governors Dr. Amherst, MA, 01003, Tel:
413-545-1393, Fax: 413-545-1027
Matt J. Frain, Department of Civil and
Environmental Engineering, University of Massachusetts,
Box 5-2305, 224 Marston Hall Amherst, MA, 01003, Tel:
617-491-1365, Fax: 413-545-2840
Matthew G. Kennedy, 633 3rd Street,
Winzler and Kelly Consulting Engineers, Eureka CA, 95501,
Tel: 707-443-8326, Fax: 707-444-8330
David P. Ahlfeld, Department of Civil and Environmental
Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Box 5-2305, 224
Marston Hall Amherst, MA, 01003, Tel: 413-545-2681, Fax:
413-545-2840
John E. Tobiason, Department of Civil and
Environmental Engineering, University of Massachusetts,
Box 5-2305, 224 Marston Hall Amherst, MA, 01003, Tel:
413-545-53975, Fax: 413-545-2840
New computational methods assist in preparation for attacks
on the water supply.
A computer simulation technique is demonstrated
that can help predict the spread of contamination in any
reservoir. This
simulation capability allows "war gaming" of
contamination scenarios so that emergency response
agencies can determine (1) Where monitoring stations
should be placed, (2) How long before the contaminant
reaches the water supply intake, (3) How the contaminant's
spread can be slowed by the use of booms or by altering
flows at dams and gates.
The simulation is demonstrated and validated using
a particularly vulnerable part of the Massachusetts water
supply, the Wachusett Reservoir.
The Thomas Basin in the Wachusett Reservoir
receives water from the Quabin Reservoir, but is crossed
by a state highway and bordered by active rail lines.
Contamination at this point, which is possible
through both accidental and malicious means, would soon
deprive over 2.5 million people in the greater Boston area
of drinking water from both the Quabin and Wachusett
Reservoirs. A
three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics model is
used to estimate the hydraulic residence time for the
Thomas Basin in the Wachusett Reservoir in central
Massachusetts. The
simulation includes accurate depiction of basin bathymetry
and inlet and outlet geometries.
It is determined that mean hydraulic residence time
is 3 to 4 days, approximately half of what would be
expected with traditional models.
The presence of a primary flow path, large scale
eddies and stagnation zones contribute to the faster
travel times. The
incorporation of wind-driven circulation and thermal
stratification effects is discussed.
Under windy conditions, contaminants take much
longer to reach the water supply intake.
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