A method for assessing the effect of water quality changes on plumbosolvency using random daytime sampling

Abstract

The Mann–Whitney U-test is used to demonstrate the impact of phosphate on lead concentrations measured at customer properties. This test is statistically robust and particularly efficient for the type of distributions encountered in lead random daytime sampling. This non-parametric technique is developed to provide a best estimate of the lead reduction that results from a change in plumbosolvency conditions. The method is illustrated with compliance data collected before and after the introduction of phosphate at customer properties in the north west of England. Limitations due to operational factors are highlighted. Using a Monte Carlo simulation of the variability of lead random daytime samples it is shown that the method might be practical when assessing the impact of incremental changes in phosphate concentration on plumbosolvency.