Water quality in drinking water distribution systems: research trends through the 21st century

Abstract

This paper provides new insight into the global landscape of water quality research in drinking water distribution systems and how it has evolved over the first twenty years of the 21st century. An up-to-date bibliometric analysis of relevant literature published between 2000 and 2020 revealed how the research landscape has expanded in terms of number of publications made, variety of topics, and geographic diversity that offers an increasingly inclusive global conversation. Results showed technological, microbial and chemical needs are currently the major research streams that are concentrated on popular topics of simulations, chlorine, biofilms, intrusion and monitoring. However, there is a vast diversity of sub-disciplines related to maintaining water quality, which are highly interconnected. These changing priorities and perspectives offer opportunities for sharing of best practice, identification of research gaps, and interdisciplinary thinking as we all strive to provide consumers with high quality drinking water now and into the future.