Use of Accelerated Testing Methods with Survey Data: How Water Quality Affects Appliance Life

Abstract

Salinity (mineral content), which is present naturally in residential water, affects the service lives of water-using appliances. We surveyed, by mail, 681 households in the Arkansas River basin in southeastern Colorado, where tap water salinity varies from 100 to 3,500 mg/L. The survey collected information on ages of appliances in service and on ages atfailure. We developed a generalized method of accelerated testing and used it with the survey data to estimate the effect of salinity on service lives. The method allowed us to use information on in-service appliances. Ignoring in-service appliances, as was done in similar previously published studies, can lead to biased service life estimates. The results of the present application can (a) help householders decide whether to buy corrosion resistant appliances, tolerate higher maintenance costs, or seek alternative-supplies and (b) help public water agencies assess alternative water quality management policies.