Abstract
A Modified Robbins Device (MRD) was installed in a full-scale water distribution system to investigate biofouling and metal depositions on concrete, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and stainless steel surfaces. Bulk water monitoring and a KIWA monitor (with glass media) were used to offline monitor biofilm development on pipe wall surfaces. Results indicated that adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and metal concentrations on coupons increased with time. However, bacterial diversities decreased. There was a positive correlation between increase of ATP and metal deposition on pipe surfaces of stainless steel and HDPE and no correlation was observed on concrete and glass surfaces. The shared bacterial diversity between bulk water and MRD was less than 20% and the diversity shared between the MRD and KIWA monitor was only 10%. The bacterial diversity on biofilm of plumbing material of MRD however, did not show a significant difference suggesting a lack of influence from plumbing material during early stage of biofilm development.
Highlights
Drinking water comes into contact with different surfaces made from a variety of materials during its travel from source to consumer
Biological and chemical fouling of pipe material and KIWA monitor The Goldfields & Agricultural Water Supply System (G&AWSS) in Western Australia consists of a network of pipes that runs mostly aboveground
The increase of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) reduced on stainless steel, concrete and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) with no significant difference (p > 0.05) observed between concrete and stainless steel and a significant difference (p < 0.05) observed between HDPE and all other pipe materials (S1 Table)
Summary
Drinking water comes into contact with different surfaces made from a variety of materials during its travel from source to consumer. Copper has been the preferred material for domestic plumbing due to its low cost and antimicrobial properties [1, 2]. The main distribution pipe networks, are often made up of cement mortar lined ductile cast iron or high-density polyethylene (HDPE). The material of choice is typically based on factors such as cost and durability [3]. Variations in bulk water temperature, nutrients, hydraulic conditions, disinfectant residual and pipe material has provided a challenge for the maintenance of drinking water quality in the network. Colonization of biofilms on pipe walls is influenced by all of the factors mentioned above and it is often difficult to relate bacterial colonization on surfaces to a single determining factor [4]
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