Regrowth of Microorganisms from Treatment to Tap in Operational Drinking Water Supply Networks

This research provides new understanding of the (re)growth of microorganisms within drinking water distribution networks. Flow cytometry data quantifying total and intact cell counts from consumers’ taps are currently rare, and its value for aiding understanding of the growth of microorganisms is un...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Isabel Carneiro, Katherine Fish, Peter Jarvis, John Haley, Fiona Webber, Paul Gaskin, Joby Boxall
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-09-01
Series:Engineering Proceedings
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4591/69/1/136
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850204817899651072
author Isabel Carneiro
Katherine Fish
Peter Jarvis
John Haley
Fiona Webber
Paul Gaskin
Joby Boxall
author_facet Isabel Carneiro
Katherine Fish
Peter Jarvis
John Haley
Fiona Webber
Paul Gaskin
Joby Boxall
author_sort Isabel Carneiro
collection DOAJ
description This research provides new understanding of the (re)growth of microorganisms within drinking water distribution networks. Flow cytometry data quantifying total and intact cell counts from consumers’ taps are currently rare, and its value for aiding understanding of the growth of microorganisms is unknown. In this study, changes in microbial concentrations from the treatment works to customers’ taps were measured (using flow cytometry) in two UK drinking water distribution networks. Throughout each network, five locations were sampled for five consecutive days within a week, and to assess seasonal impacts, this was repeated twice in each network. Significant growth of microorganisms was observed in both networks during autumn, particularly at higher-water-age taps. These results give novel emphasis to the active impact of the distribution system on microbiological growth by using flow cytometry data collected in a systematic way from treatment through to customers’ taps. Such understanding is essential to achieving the delivery of safe and aesthetically pleasing drinking water to customers.
format Article
id doaj-art-bb2c24d146a64af8a01835b5a8ab05d9
institution OA Journals
issn 2673-4591
language English
publishDate 2024-09-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Engineering Proceedings
spelling doaj-art-bb2c24d146a64af8a01835b5a8ab05d92025-08-20T02:11:13ZengMDPI AGEngineering Proceedings2673-45912024-09-0169113610.3390/engproc2024069136Regrowth of Microorganisms from Treatment to Tap in Operational Drinking Water Supply NetworksIsabel Carneiro0Katherine Fish1Peter Jarvis2John Haley3Fiona Webber4Paul Gaskin5Joby Boxall6Department of Civil and Structural Engineering, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S1 3JD, UKDepartment of Civil and Structural Engineering, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S1 3JD, UKWater Science Institute, Cranfield University, Bedford MK43 0AL, UKUK Water Industry Research, London SE1 2RE, UKScottish Water, Stepps G33 6FB, UKDŵr Cymru Welsh Water, Cardiff CF3 0LT, UKDepartment of Civil and Structural Engineering, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S1 3JD, UKThis research provides new understanding of the (re)growth of microorganisms within drinking water distribution networks. Flow cytometry data quantifying total and intact cell counts from consumers’ taps are currently rare, and its value for aiding understanding of the growth of microorganisms is unknown. In this study, changes in microbial concentrations from the treatment works to customers’ taps were measured (using flow cytometry) in two UK drinking water distribution networks. Throughout each network, five locations were sampled for five consecutive days within a week, and to assess seasonal impacts, this was repeated twice in each network. Significant growth of microorganisms was observed in both networks during autumn, particularly at higher-water-age taps. These results give novel emphasis to the active impact of the distribution system on microbiological growth by using flow cytometry data collected in a systematic way from treatment through to customers’ taps. Such understanding is essential to achieving the delivery of safe and aesthetically pleasing drinking water to customers.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4591/69/1/136biological stabilitywater qualitydrinking water distribution systemsbacteria
spellingShingle Isabel Carneiro
Katherine Fish
Peter Jarvis
John Haley
Fiona Webber
Paul Gaskin
Joby Boxall
Regrowth of Microorganisms from Treatment to Tap in Operational Drinking Water Supply Networks
Engineering Proceedings
biological stability
water quality
drinking water distribution systems
bacteria
title Regrowth of Microorganisms from Treatment to Tap in Operational Drinking Water Supply Networks
title_full Regrowth of Microorganisms from Treatment to Tap in Operational Drinking Water Supply Networks
title_fullStr Regrowth of Microorganisms from Treatment to Tap in Operational Drinking Water Supply Networks
title_full_unstemmed Regrowth of Microorganisms from Treatment to Tap in Operational Drinking Water Supply Networks
title_short Regrowth of Microorganisms from Treatment to Tap in Operational Drinking Water Supply Networks
title_sort regrowth of microorganisms from treatment to tap in operational drinking water supply networks
topic biological stability
water quality
drinking water distribution systems
bacteria
url https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4591/69/1/136
work_keys_str_mv AT isabelcarneiro regrowthofmicroorganismsfromtreatmenttotapinoperationaldrinkingwatersupplynetworks
AT katherinefish regrowthofmicroorganismsfromtreatmenttotapinoperationaldrinkingwatersupplynetworks
AT peterjarvis regrowthofmicroorganismsfromtreatmenttotapinoperationaldrinkingwatersupplynetworks
AT johnhaley regrowthofmicroorganismsfromtreatmenttotapinoperationaldrinkingwatersupplynetworks
AT fionawebber regrowthofmicroorganismsfromtreatmenttotapinoperationaldrinkingwatersupplynetworks
AT paulgaskin regrowthofmicroorganismsfromtreatmenttotapinoperationaldrinkingwatersupplynetworks
AT jobyboxall regrowthofmicroorganismsfromtreatmenttotapinoperationaldrinkingwatersupplynetworks