Office of Research and Development Publications

Chlorine and monochloramine disinfection of Legionella pneumophila colonizing copper and PVC drinking water biofilms

Citation:

Buse, H., B. Morris, I. Struewing, AND Jeff Szabo. Chlorine and monochloramine disinfection of Legionella pneumophila colonizing copper and PVC drinking water biofilms. APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY. American Society for Microbiology, Washington, DC, , 1-33, (2019).

Impact/Purpose:

Microbial regrowth within building water systems (BWSs) are promoted by water stagnation, low disinfectant residual, high surface-to-volume ratio, amenable growth temperatures, and colonization of drinking water biofilms. This study will provide a better understanding of Legionella ecological stability and survival and aid policy makers in the management of exposure risks to water-based pathogens within BWSs.

Description:

Building water systems (BWSs) promote the regrowth and survival of opportunistic pathogens, such as Legionella pneumophila, especially within biofilms (BFs), where most drinking water (DW) microbes reside. However, compared to their planktonic (PL) form, disinfection efficacy for the BF-associated forms of water-based pathogens is unclear. The goal of this study is to provide a better understanding of Legionella survival within drinking water biofilms and aid in the mitigation of exposure risks to this opportunistic pathogen within building water systems.