The interplay of suspended sediment concentration, particle size and fluid velocity on the rapid deposition of suspended iron oxide particles in PVC drinking water pipes.

The inner walls of drinking water pipes are often expected to be clean and controlled surfaces to assure safe water access to the public. However, these surfaces are typically contaminated with particulate materials and biofilms that eventually degrade water quality. While water utilities place significant efforts in identifying and flushing material deposits from compromised pipes, the development of effective preventive strategies is still limited by the lack of knowledge about material accumulation processes. The aim of this paper is to examine the interplay between suspended sediment concentration, particle size and fluid velocity and the attachment of suspended iron oxide particles in PVC drinking water pipes. For that purpose, a series of short experiments were completed, whereby water amended with a known concentration of selected and stable iron oxide particles was introduced in a full-scale pipe loop laboratory over a short period of time and both turbidity and suspended sediment concentration...