A retrospective analysis of coliform events in a drinking water distribution system was conducted. A total of 13 coliform isolates with specific geographic/sampling records were analysed using microbial source tracking (MST) to establish genetic (based on DNA) and phenotypic (based on substrate utilization) relatedness between isolates, and a data integration approach (geo-spatial and event analysis) to identify potential causes for their presence. Phenotypic analysis, using the API® 20E system, identified two major genera: Enterobacter and Citrobacter, showing a high degree of phenotypic similarity within each species. However genotypic analysis (using pulsed field gel electrophoresis) of the Enterobacter and Citrobacter isolates demonstrated a wide genetic diversity within each species. The data integration approach revealed the probable causes for coliform events were the installation of new mains (8 samples) and rehabilitation of existing main (1 sample). The data integration and MST approach (genotyping) suggested that these coliform events were a result of sporadic intrusion from maintenance events and not chronic biofilm re-growth. The combination of MST and the data integration approach offers utilities a potentially powerful tool for the examination and determination of coliform occurrences in a distribution system.
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August 2010
This article was originally published in
Journal of Water Supply: Research and Technology-Aqua
Article Contents
Research Article|
August 01 2010
Molecular techniques and data integration: investigating distribution system coliform events
S. J. Payne;
1Department of Civil and Resource Engineering, Dalhousie University, 1360 Barrington Street, Halifax NS B3J 1Z1, Canada
Tel.: 1 902 494 3006 Fax: 1 902 494 3108; E-mail: [email protected]
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M. C. Besner;
M. C. Besner
2Génies Civil, Géologique et des Mines, École Polytechnique de Montréal, C.P. 6079, Succ Centre-Ville, Montréal QC, Canada
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J. Lavoie;
J. Lavoie
3Ville de Laval, Service de l'Environnement, 2550 boul. Industriel, Laval QC H7V 3Z4, Canada
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C. Krentz;
C. Krentz
4Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, G227-2211 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver BC V6T 2B5, Canada
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L. Truelstrup Hansen;
L. Truelstrup Hansen
5Deparment of Process Engineering and Applied Science, Dalhousie University, 1360 Barrington Street D 321, Halifax NS B3J 1Z1, Canada
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M. Friedman;
M. Friedman
6Confluence Engineering Group, Confluence Engineering Group LLC, 517 NE 92nd Street, Seattle WA 98115, USA
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M. W. LeChevallier;
M. W. LeChevallier
7American Water, 1025 Laurel Oak Rd., P.O. Box 1770, Voorhees NJ 08043, USA
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M. Prévost;
M. Prévost
2Génies Civil, Géologique et des Mines, École Polytechnique de Montréal, C.P. 6079, Succ Centre-Ville, Montréal QC, Canada
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G. A. Gagnon
G. A. Gagnon
1Department of Civil and Resource Engineering, Dalhousie University, 1360 Barrington Street, Halifax NS B3J 1Z1, Canada
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Journal of Water Supply: Research and Technology-Aqua (2010) 59 (5): 298–311.
Article history
Received:
March 03 2009
Accepted:
January 27 2010
Citation
S. J. Payne, M. C. Besner, J. Lavoie, C. Krentz, L. Truelstrup Hansen, M. Friedman, M. W. LeChevallier, M. Prévost, G. A. Gagnon; Molecular techniques and data integration: investigating distribution system coliform events. Journal of Water Supply: Research and Technology-Aqua 1 August 2010; 59 (5): 298–311. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/aqua.2010.026
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