A practical decision tree tool that water utilities can use to solve taste and odor problems

Abstract

Much research has been performed into the science of aesthetic water quality, but utilities have had difficulty incorporating this science into their practices. A decision tree was developed that, for the first time, provides a resource that utility professionals can use to describe an off-flavor, determine the origin, quickly learn how to proceed with an investigation of the off-flavor event and identify potential solutions. Utility personnel can quickly learn how to be detectives for their systems without the training necessary to be experts. If the electronic decision tree does not lead to resolution of the taste and odor problem, then the utility professional, who was not previously knowledgeable in off-flavors, can have a productive discussion with an expert regarding tastes and odors. Communicating the lessons learned by the scientists of aesthetic water quality to the utility professionals in a quick and easy manner will lead to more resolved taste and odor events and better water quality.