Patent ID: 8097212
Filing Date: 2012-01-17
Classification: C02F,E03B,G01N,Y02W,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of providing early warning of contamination of water in a municipal water distribution system having existing pipes by detecting chemical or biological agent contaminates introduced into the water wherein the existing pipes are existing water filled pipes extending from a water source and wherein the municipal water system includes a supervisory control and data acquisition system and a water management system, comprising the steps of: installing a chemical or biological sensor array in the existing pipes wherein said sensor array produces an acoustic signal burst in the water in the water filled pipes, sensing the chemical or biological agent contaminates that have been introduced into the water using said sensor array, producing an acoustic signal in the water in the existing water filled pipes upon the sensing of the chemical or biological agent contaminates that have been introduced into the water by said sensor array, using the existing water filled pipes as wave-guides or channels for transmitting said acoustic signal, receiving said acoustic signal in the existing water filled pipes wherein said acoustic signal has been transmitted using the existing water filled pipes as wave-guides or channels, and signaling the supervisory control and data acquisition system and the water management system upon receiving said acoustic signal indicating said sensing of the chemical or biological agent contaminates that have been introduced into the water.