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Formation of biofilms in drinking water distribution networks, a case study in two cities in Finland and Latvia

  • Original Paper
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Journal of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology

Abstract

The formation of biofilms in drinking water distribution networks is a significant technical, aesthetic and hygienic problem. In this study, the effects of assimilable organic carbon, microbially available phosphorus (MAP), residual chlorine, temperature and corrosion products on the formation of biofilms were studied in two full-scale water supply systems in Finland and Latvia. Biofilm collectors consisting of polyvinyl chloride pipes were installed in several waterworks and distribution networks, which were supplied with chemically precipitated surface waters and groundwater from different sources. During a 1-year study, the biofilm density was measured by heterotrophic plate counts on R2A-agar, acridine orange direct counting and ATP-analyses. A moderate level of residual chorine decreased biofilm density, whereas an increase of MAP in water and accumulated cast iron corrosion products significantly increased biofilm density. This work confirms, in a full-scale distribution system in Finland and Latvia, our earlier in vitro finding that biofilm formation is affected by the availability of phosphorus in drinking water.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the Academy of Finland (project 52459) and the Ulla Tuominen foundation. We acknowledge the staff of Kuopio Water and staff of Baltezers, Zakumuiza and Daugava waterworks of Municipal enterprise Riga Water for assisting in installation and sampling of biofilm collectors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Environmental Microbiology, National Public Health Institute, P.O. Box 95, Kuopio, 70701, Finland

    Markku J. Lehtola & Ilkka T. Miettinen

  2. Division of Water Supply and Sewerage, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Riga Technical University, Azenes Street 16, 1048, Riga, Latvia

    Tālis Juhna

  3. Laboratory of Chemistry, National Public Health Institute, P.O. Box 95, Kuopio, 70701, Finland

    Terttu Vartiainen

  4. Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Kuopio, Bioteknia 2, P.O. Box 1627, Kuopio, 70211, Finland

    Terttu Vartiainen & Pertti J. Martikainen

Authors
  1. Markku J. Lehtola
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  2. Tālis Juhna
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  3. Ilkka T. Miettinen
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  4. Terttu Vartiainen
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  5. Pertti J. Martikainen
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Correspondence to Markku J. Lehtola.

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Lehtola, M.J., Juhna, T., Miettinen, I.T. et al. Formation of biofilms in drinking water distribution networks, a case study in two cities in Finland and Latvia. J IND MICROBIOL BIOTECHNOL 31, 489–494 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10295-004-0173-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10295-004-0173-2

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