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Dissertation
Evaluation of attached microbial communities in drinking water pipes
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Drexel University
Jun 1987
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00000662
Abstract
In order to examine and quantitate the attached microbiological communities which develop on water pipe surfaces, a Corporation Sampling Device was designed and installed at selected sites within the Philadelphia Suburban Water Company distribution system. The sites varied in terms of flow velocity, bulk water heterotrophic plate count, total chlorine concentration, and solutes in the water. The sampling device facilitated the exposure of replicate cast iron and plastic 10 mm x 15 mm cylinders inside either pressurized water mains or 100 liter tanks supplied directly from water mains. The Corporation Sampling Device provided reliable, statistically validated estimates of attached microbial populations. Under warm water conditions (15-25[degrees]C after approximately two to four months exposure, cast iron surfaces developed populations of 10^4 to 10^7 per square centimeter using the R2A medium heterotrophic plate count method. Total organic carbon accumulations of 100 to 200 micrograms per square centimeter were detected on cast iron cylinders. Sulfide formation on cylinders at several sites indicated the development of anaerobic conditions. Microorganisms isolated from exposed cylinders included typical aquatic bacteria and filamentous fungi. Coliform bacteria were not detected. Population density on cylinder surfaces was found to be correlated with water temperature, bulk water heterotrophic plate count, flow velocity, and total chlorine concentration. The rate of bacterial colonization of surfaces was significantly effected by water temperature and type of surface. Highest rates of colonization occurred under warm water exposure (15-25[degrees]C) and on cast iron.
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Details
- Title
- Evaluation of attached microbial communities in drinking water pipes
- Creators
- Rodney Martin Donlan
- Contributors
- Alessandro Fatatis (Advisor) - Drexel University, Pharmacology and Physiology
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- xi, 163 pages
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Civil (and Architectural) Engineering [Historical]; College of Engineering (1970-2026); Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 991014970307204721