The aim of our study was to identify the dominant environmental niche (pipe wall and different sediment size fractions) in the distribution system for biological activity, Aeromonas and the occurrence of several microbial groups or specific opportunistic pathogens. The pipe wall and sediment fractions of three locations in a distribution system were sampled and different microbiological parameters were determined. The results demonstrated that most of the active biomass in the distribution system is located in the pipe wall biofilm and the smallest sediment size fraction. Fungi were more dominantly present in the pipe wall biofilm than in the sediment, whereas Aeromonas spp. has its dominant niche in the sediment. The highest numbers of the opportunistic pathogens Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Aspergillus fumigatus were observed in the biofilm. In contrast, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia was only observed in the sediment. The results from our study demonstrate that: (i) microbial activity in the distribution system is high on the pipe wall and sediment and (ii) different microbial groups or microbial species have different dominant environmental niches in the distribution system.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
Research Article|
February 24 2016
Distribution of microbial activity and specific microorganisms across sediment size fractions and pipe wall biofilm in a drinking water distribution system Available to Purchase
Paul W. J. J. van der Wielen;
1KWR Watercycle Research Institute, P.O. Box 1072, 3430BB Nieuwegein, The Netherlands
E-mail: [email protected]
Search for other works by this author on:
Maarten C. Lut
Maarten C. Lut
2Oasen, P.O. Box 122, 2800AC Gouda, The Netherlands
Search for other works by this author on:
Water Supply (2016) 16 (4): 896–904.
Article history
Received:
October 29 2015
Accepted:
February 09 2016
Citation
Paul W. J. J. van der Wielen, Maarten C. Lut; Distribution of microbial activity and specific microorganisms across sediment size fractions and pipe wall biofilm in a drinking water distribution system. Water Supply 1 August 2016; 16 (4): 896–904. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/ws.2016.023
Download citation file:
Sign in
Don't already have an account? Register
Client Account
You could not be signed in. Please check your email address / username and password and try again.
Could not validate captcha. Please try again.
eBook
Pay-Per-View Access
$38.00