A systematic approach is presented for the assessment of (i) bacterial growth-controlling factors in drinking water and (ii) the impact of distribution conditions on the extent of bacterial growth in full-scale distribution systems. The approach combines (i) quantification of changes in autochthonous bacterial cell concentrations in full-scale distribution systems with (ii) laboratory-scale batch bacterial growth potential tests of drinking water samples under defined conditions. The growth potential tests were done by direct incubation of water samples, without modification of the original bacterial flora, and with flow cytometric quantification of bacterial growth. This method was shown to be reproducible (ca. 4% relative standard deviation) and sensitive (detection of bacterial growth down to 5 µg L−1 of added assimilable organic carbon). The principle of step-wise assessment of bacterial growth-controlling factors was demonstrated on bottled water, shown to be primarily carbon limited at 133 (±18) × 103 cells mL−1 and secondarily limited by inorganic nutrients at 5,500 (±1,700) × 103 cells mL−1. Analysis of the effluent of a Dutch full-scale drinking water treatment plant showed (1) bacterial growth inhibition as a result of end-point chlorination, (2) organic carbon limitation at 192 (±72) × 103 cells mL−1 and (3) inorganic nutrient limitation at 375 (±31) × 103 cells mL−1. Significantly lower net bacterial growth was measured in the corresponding full-scale distribution system (176 (±25) × 103 cells mL−1) than in the laboratory-scale growth potential test of the same water (294 (±35) × 103 cells mL−1), highlighting the influence of distribution on bacterial growth. The systematic approach described herein provides quantitative information on the effect of drinking water properties and distribution system conditions on biological stability, which can assist water utilities in decision-making on treatment or distribution system improvements to better control bacterial growth during water distribution.
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Research Article|
January 05 2016
A systematic approach for the assessment of bacterial growth-controlling factors linked to biological stability of drinking water in distribution systems
E. I. Prest;
1Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, Julianalaan 67, Delft 2628 BC, The Netherlands
E-mail: [email protected]
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F. Hammes;
F. Hammes
2EAWAG, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Ueberlandstrasse 133, Dübendorf CH-8600, Switzerland
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S. Kötzsch;
S. Kötzsch
2EAWAG, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Ueberlandstrasse 133, Dübendorf CH-8600, Switzerland
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M. C. M. van Loosdrecht;
M. C. M. van Loosdrecht
1Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, Julianalaan 67, Delft 2628 BC, The Netherlands
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J. S. Vrouwenvelder
J. S. Vrouwenvelder
1Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, Julianalaan 67, Delft 2628 BC, The Netherlands
3Water Desalination and Reuse Center, Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia and Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Oostergoweg 9, Leeuwarden 8911 MA, The Netherlands
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Water Supply (2016) 16 (4): 865–880.
Article history
Received:
September 25 2015
Accepted:
December 16 2015
Citation
E. I. Prest, F. Hammes, S. Kötzsch, M. C. M. van Loosdrecht, J. S. Vrouwenvelder; A systematic approach for the assessment of bacterial growth-controlling factors linked to biological stability of drinking water in distribution systems. Water Supply 1 August 2016; 16 (4): 865–880. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/ws.2016.001
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