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Influence of Disinfectant Residual on Biofilm Development, Microbial Ecology, and Pathogen Fate and Transport in Drinking Water Infrastructure
Citation:
LATHAM, M. AND N. ASHBOLT. Influence of Disinfectant Residual on Biofilm Development, Microbial Ecology, and Pathogen Fate and Transport in Drinking Water Infrastructure . U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/600/F-10/012, 2010.
Impact/Purpose:
To share information
Description:
This project focuses on providing basic data to bound risk estimates resulting from pathogens associated with pipe biofilms. Researchers will compare biofilm pathogen effects under two different disinfection scenarios (free chlorine or chloramines) for a conventionally treated source water (Potomac River). Samples will be collected from storage facilities, dedicated sampling taps used for TCR compliance monitoring, and biofilm swabs from household cold water taps and shower heads (premise plumbing). Microbial community structures, NTM, and Legionella-like bacteria and their amoebae hosts will be characterized. Potential novel biomarkers of exposure will be collected and used to explore the potential for salivary and urine antibody tests. Water quality data, operations information, and system condition information will also be collected to aid in interpretation of microbial data. In addition to disinfectant residual, key water quality variables including nitrogen species (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and organic-nitrogen), phosphorus, metals (lead, copper, arsenic), fluoride, organic carbon, pH, alkalinity, temperature, sulfate, chloride, and other inorganics will be assessed. All potential pathogens will be genotyped and stored for future reference. In addition, if a water main break or other ingress event occurs during the project-sampling phase, material will also be stored for molecular identification of fecal pathogens and indicators. EPA’s Office of Research and Development has funded this research project in support of its Aging Water Infrastructure Research Program. Phase I of this project will run from March 2010 through March 2011, and dependent on project success, Phase II will run for a second year.