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Online Tool Helps Utilities Assess Microbial Contamination Risks
Author(s) -
Butterfield Phillip W.,
Camper Anne K.,
Rupp Gretchen
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
opflow
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1551-8701
pISSN - 0149-8029
DOI - 10.1002/j.1551-8701.2007.tb00006.x
Subject(s) - worksheet , toolbox , computer science , ranking (information retrieval) , interface (matter) , vulnerability (computing) , operations research , information retrieval , computer security , engineering , mathematics education , mathematics , bubble , maximum bubble pressure method , parallel computing , programming language
This article discusses a self‐assessment tool called the Microbial Risk Assessment Guide (MRA Guide), developed by the Montana Water Center at Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana. The guide is described as the umbrella computer program for an interactive toolbox that has two goals: to help small water system operators and managers determine where their systems are vulnerable to microbial contamination; and, to supply information that can help with decision making about the necessary investments of time and operational effort, sampling resources, and capital. However, it does not take the place of a sanitary survey or vulnerability assessment. The article describes how the MRA Guide works through an online tutorial of a series of short videos demonstrating how to perform basic tasks, including segments on tutorial navigation, enabling macro security, spreadsheet basics, and an example of completing a general system information worksheet. The article explains the ranking tool, a concept based on a numerical scoring and ranking scheme commonly used to make decisions when there is uncertainty, how to assess “what‐if” scenarios, and interpreting and using your results. Figures are provided of actual screen shots of the computer interface.