Biofilms in drinking water: problems and solutions

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2013

Authors

Lúcia Chaves Simões (Author) FEUP; Manuel Simões (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: RSC Advances

Vol. 3 No. 8

Pages: 2520-2533

ISSN: 2046-2069

Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 54 Citations

ISI Web of Science

Scopus - 101 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Natural sciences > Chemical sciences

Associated Projects

Bioresist - Estudo da influência do fenótipo de biofilmes na sua resiliência e resistência

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-002-1QM

DOI: 10.1039/c2ra22243d

Abstract (EN): The main goal of water companies is to deliver to each consumer microbiologically safe drinking water (DW), adequate in quantity and delivery pressure and acceptable in terms of taste, odour and appearance. Drinking water distribution systems (DWDS) are known to harbour biofilms, even in the continuous presence of a disinfectant. These biofilms are a source of planktonic bacteria, which will remain present when the water is delivered through a consumer's tap. The presence of biofilms in DWDS constitutes one of the currently recognized hazards affecting the microbiological quality of the product and may lead to a number of unwanted effects on the organoleptic quality of the distributed water. Importantly, biofilms constitute a persistent reservoir of pathogenic microorganisms, which are responsible for several waterborne diseases. Antimicrobial products, particularly chlorine, have been the main weapons used to disinfect DW. Although this strategy is widespread, there are not yet standardized disinfection strategies with reliable efficacy in the control of biofilms. This review covers the advances in the knowledge of public health problems caused by the presence of biofilms in DWDS and the current strategies for DW disinfection and associated biofilms.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 14