@BOOK{NAP11262, author = "National Research Council", title = "Public Water Supply Distribution Systems: Assessing and Reducing Risks: First Report", isbn = "978-0-309-09628-7", doi = "10.17226/11262", abstract = "The Water Science and Technology Board has released the first report of the Committee on Public\nWater Supply Distribution Systems: Assessing and Reducing Risks, which is studying water quality issues\nassociated with public water supply distribution systems and their potential risks to consumers. The distribution\nsystem, which is a critical component of every drinking water utility, constitutes a significant management\nchallenge from both an operational and public health standpoint. This first report was requested by the EPA, as\nthe agency considers revisions to the Total Coliform Rule with potential new requirements for ensuring the\nintegrity of the distribution system. This first report identifies trends relevant to the deterioration of drinking water\nquality in distribution systems and prioritizes issues of greatest concern according to high, medium, and\nlow priority categories. Of the issues presented in nine EPA white papers that were reviewed by the committee,\ncross connections and backflow, new or repaired water mains, and finished water storage facilities were judged\nby the committee to be of the highest importance based on their associated potential health risks. In addition,\nthe report noted that two other issues should also be accorded high priority: premise plumbing and distribution\nsystem operator training. This first report will be followed in about 18 months by a more comprehensive final\nreport that evaluates approaches for risk characterization and identifies strategies that could be considered to\nreduce the risks posed by water-quality deteriorating events.", url = "https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/11262/public-water-supply-distribution-systems-assessing-and-reducing-risks-first", year = 2005, publisher = "The National Academies Press", address = "Washington, DC" }