Disinfection characteristics of Pseudomonas peli, a chlorine-resistant bacterium isolated from a water supply network

Abstract

Lack of microbial contamination is crucial for drinking water quality and safety. Chlorine-resistant bacteria in drinking water distribution systems pose a threat to drinking water quality. A bacterium was isolated from an urban water supply network in northern China and identified as Pseudomonas peli by 16S rDNA gene analysis. This P. peli strain had high chlorine tolerance. The CT value (the product of disinfectant concentration and contact time) to achieve 3 lg unit (i.e. 99.9%)-inactivation of this P. peli isolate was 51.26–90.36 mg min/L, inversely proportional to the free chlorine concentration. Chlorine dioxide could inactivate the bacterium faster and more efficiently than free chlorine, as shown by flow cytometry. Thiazole orange plus propidium iodide staining indicated that free chlorine and chlorine dioxide inactivated P. peli primarily by disrupting the integrity and permeability of the cell membrane. The P. peli was also sensitive to ultraviolet (UV) radiation; a UV dose of 40 mJ/cm2 achieved 4 lg unit (99.99%)-inactivation. The Hom model was more suitable for analyzing the disinfection kinetics of P. peli than the Chick and Chick-Watson models.