Development of performance indicators for small Quebec drinking water utilities

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Public Health
• Water Engineering

Background:

• Small drinking water utilities in Quebec often face challenges in meeting provincial microbiological standards.
• Chlorination is the primary treatment method for the studied utilities, which utilize surface water or groundwater influenced by runoff.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate utility performance indicators for assessing drinking water quality.
• To identify key operational, infrastructure, and maintenance factors influencing water quality in small utilities.

Main Methods:

• Comparative analysis of 10 small drinking water utilities, categorized as non-problematic or problematic based on microbiological standard compliance.
• Development of a multivariable weight-based index integrating operational, infrastructure, and maintenance characteristics.
• Sensitivity analyses to evaluate the impact of variable exclusion and weight adjustments on indicator results.

Main Results:

• Performance indicators were systematically better for non-problematic utilities compared to problematic ones.
• Disinfection-related, infrastructure, and maintenance variables significantly contributed to the performance indicator values.
• The developed indicators effectively explain current and historical distributed water quality.

Conclusions:

• Effective performance indicators can be developed for small drinking water utilities.
• Improvements in disinfection, infrastructure, and maintenance are crucial for ensuring consistent compliance with drinking water standards.
• The study provides a framework for utilities to self-assess and enhance their performance for better water quality management.