TY - JOUR
T1 - Impact of Distribution and Network Flushing on the Drinking Water Microbiome
AU - El-Chakhtoura, Joline
AU - Saikaly, Pascal E.
AU - van Loosdrecht, Mark C. M.
AU - Vrouwenvelder, Johannes S.
PY - 2018
Y1 - 2018
N2 - We sampled the tap water of seven unique, full-scale drinking water distribution systems at different locations as well as the corresponding treatment plant effluents to evaluate the impact of distribution and the potential presence of a core drinking water microbiome. The water was also sampled during network flushing to examine its effect on the microbial ecology. While a core microbiome dominated by Gammaproteobacteria was found using 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing, an increase in biomass was detected in the networks, especially during flushing. Water age did not significantly impact the microbiology. Irrespective of differences in treatment plants, tap water bacterial communities in the distinct networks converged and highly resembled the flushed water communities. Piping biofilm and sediment communities therefore largely determine the final tap water microbial quality, attenuating the impact of water source and treatment strategy and highlighting the fundamental role of local physicochemical conditions and microbial processes within infrastructure micro-niches.
AB - We sampled the tap water of seven unique, full-scale drinking water distribution systems at different locations as well as the corresponding treatment plant effluents to evaluate the impact of distribution and the potential presence of a core drinking water microbiome. The water was also sampled during network flushing to examine its effect on the microbial ecology. While a core microbiome dominated by Gammaproteobacteria was found using 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing, an increase in biomass was detected in the networks, especially during flushing. Water age did not significantly impact the microbiology. Irrespective of differences in treatment plants, tap water bacterial communities in the distinct networks converged and highly resembled the flushed water communities. Piping biofilm and sediment communities therefore largely determine the final tap water microbial quality, attenuating the impact of water source and treatment strategy and highlighting the fundamental role of local physicochemical conditions and microbial processes within infrastructure micro-niches.
KW - 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing
KW - biofilm
KW - core microbiome
KW - drinking water distribution system
KW - microbial ecology
KW - network flushing
KW - residence time
KW - water quality
UR - http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:deeb2b8b-d7f6-4d2c-990b-c7931339f253
U2 - 10.3389/fmicb.2018.02205
DO - 10.3389/fmicb.2018.02205
M3 - Article
SN - 1664-302X
VL - 9
JO - Frontiers in Microbiology
JF - Frontiers in Microbiology
M1 - 2205
ER -