Drinking Water Systems

Consider now the type of biofilm-related issues relevant to treatment and distribution of drinking water (Figure 1). Although drinking water systems are typically much lower in organic carbon than industrial water systems (i.e. oligothrphic environment) biofilms never the less can develop in the treatment system as well as along distribution lines. These biofilms can potentially impact the transport and fate of pathogenic bacteria which may be introduced into the system.

Permissions

Courtesy, P. Dirckx, Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana State University

Figure 1. Biofilms in drinking water treatment and distribution systems

Concerns

Questions typically of concern to the drinking water industry include:

• What are background levels of biofilm in drinking water distribution systems?
• Are pathogens present in these systems?
• How do biofilms affect the transport and fate of pathogens?
• Can pathogen transport be controlled?

As in the case of industrial water systems the theme areas here are related to detection, quantification and control. Identification of specific bacterial strains (especially pathogens) is also important to the drinking water industry.