Abstract
The environmental conditions in building plumbing systems differ considerably from the larger distribution system and, as a consequence, uncontrolled changes in the drinking water microbiome through selective growth can occur. In this regard, synthetic polymeric plumbing materials are of particular relevance, since they leach assimilable organic carbon that can be utilized for bacterial growth. Here, we discuss the complexity of building plumbing in relation to microbial ecology, especially in the context of low-quality synthetic polymeric materials (i.e., plastics) and highlight the major knowledge gaps in the field. We furthermore show how knowledge on the interaction between material properties (e.g., carbon migration) and microbiology (e.g., growth rate) allows for the quantification of initial biofilm development in buildings. Hence, research towards a comprehensive understanding of these processes and interactions will enable the implementation of knowledge-based management strategies. We argue that the exclusive use of high-quality materials in new building plumbing systems poses a straightforward strategy towards managing the building plumbing microbiome. This can be achieved through comprehensive material testing and knowledge sharing between all stakeholders including architects, planners, plumbers, material producers, home owners, and scientists.
Highlights
Bacteria Are Omnipresent in Drinking Water Treatment and Distribution SystemsBacteria inhabit nearly every part of drinking water systems [1]. Complex microbial communities, comprising thousands of unique taxa, are found at various concentrations (103 –106 cells/mL) [2,3,4]
A number of studies on building plumbing microbiology emerged during the past decade, for example investigating the impact of temperature on community composition [15], refining adequate building sampling strategies [36], monitoring biofilm formation in a new building [16], or evaluating the impact of stagnation on microbiome assemblages [14]
Organic carbon migration from the material into the water is a main reason why synthetic polymeric materials are relevant for microbial growth in buildings
Summary
Bacteria inhabit nearly every part of drinking water systems [1]. Complex microbial communities, comprising thousands of unique taxa, are found at various concentrations (103 –106 cells/mL) [2,3,4]. The water in DWDS mains is essentially flowing continuously, resulting in (comparatively) limited changes in flow dynamics and water age at any given point in the system. Despite comparatively limited fluctuations, temporal and spatial changes have still been documented. This includes short-term changes in planktonic cell concentrations, which can be attributed to fluctuations in flow velocity, following trends in water consumption throughout the day [25], and seasonal changes in both cell concentrations [26] and microbiome composition [27], presumable linked to changes in environmental conditions. Spatial variations in bacterial concentration and composition resulted for example from increased water age and the depletion of disinfectant residuals throughout the DWDS [28,29]
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