Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID 2017KY271B

Water quality analysis in municipal water supply system for Lexington, KY with a focus on corrosivity

Institute: Kentucky
Year Established: 2017 Start Date: 2017-03-01 End Date: 2018-02-28
Total Federal Funds: $5,000 Total Non-Federal Funds: $10,003

Principal Investigators: Junfeng Zhu, Alan Fryar

Project Summary: The purpose of this study is to conduct chemical analysis of the public water supply system in Lexington, Kentucky located within New Circle Road (Kentucky Route 4) and to evaluate water corrosivity and its seasonal variation. We hypothesize that the high corrosivity observed in Spring 2016 resulted from winter road salt application. Specifically, this study aims to: 1) calculate the chloride-sulfate mass ratio (CSMR) and Langelier Saturation Index (LSI) to determine if water within the supply system exhibits corrosive characteristics persistently; 2) evaluate national drinking water standards and CSMR/LSI values for changes in water quality with approximate pipe travel distance; and 3) review calculated CSMR/LSI values to assess seasonal variations in water quality (spring/summer vs. fall/winter) due to winter road salt application (Stranko et al., 2013). Two water sampling events are planned (spring 2017 and fall 2017).