UV disinfection in a model distribution system: Biofilm growth and microbial community

Two model distribution systems were operated in parallel to investigate the impact of UV disinfection on water distribution system biofilms and microbial community composition. One system received an influent irradiated with UV light, whereas the control received the same influent with no treatment. The biofilm in the UV system, as compared to the control, was more responsive (i.e., had a greater increase in steady-state density of heterotrophic bacteria) to the increased nutrient availability afforded by a decrease in HRT from 12 to 2h. However, the UV treatment did not have a consistent impact on the biofilm community, indicating the processes controlling HPC density were independent of the specific strains of bacteria forming the biofilm. There was evidence that particle shielding contributed to the survival of UV-susceptible bacteria. This hypothesis was consistent with the presence of UV-susceptible bacteria in the UV system, as well as the high similarity of the biofilm communities in the UV and control systems in one of the experiments. To simulate an intrusion event, opportunistic pathogens were added to each system after the biofilm community reached steady-state. Opportunistic pathogen attachment was not affected by the UV treatment, but was instead correlated to the biofilm density of heterotrophic bacteria.