What can cause water quality issues in distribution systems?

Aging pipes, contamination, and poor treatment are all significant factors that can lead to water quality issues in distribution systems. Over time, aging pipes can corrode or develop leaks, allowing contaminants from the surrounding soil or infrastructure to seep into the water supply. This deterioration can result in the introduction of harmful substances like lead or bacteria.

Contamination can also occur through accidental spills, runoff, or cross-connections with non-potable water sources, further jeopardizing the safety of the water supply. Poor treatment may involve inadequate filtration or disinfection processes, which can fail to remove sediments, pathogens, and pollutants, compromising water quality. Ensuring the integrity of distribution systems requires continuous monitoring and maintenance of these factors to provide safe drinking water.

In contrast, excessive filtration systems are typically designed to enhance water quality rather than degrade it, and factors like heavy rainfall or high temperatures alone may influence water quality, but they do not comprehensively address the broader range of potential issues within distribution systems itself. Hence, option A encompasses the essential factors that collectively contribute to water quality challenges in distribution systems.