scholarly journals A Snapshot of the Global Drinking Water Virome: Diversity and Metabolic Potential Vary with Residual Disinfectant Use

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bridget Emily Hegarty ◽  
Zihan Dai ◽  
Lutgarde Raskin ◽  
Ameet J Pinto ◽  
Krista Wigginton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Distribution Systems ◽  
Drinking Water Treatment ◽  
Taxonomic Diversity ◽  
Water Systems ◽  
Free Chlorine ◽  
Metabolic Potential ◽  
Drinking Water Systems

Viruses are important drivers of microbial community ecology and evolution, influencing microbial mortality, metabolism, and horizontal gene transfer. However, the effects of viruses remain largely unknown in many environments, including in drinking water systems. Drinking water metagenomic studies have offered a whole community perspective of bacterial impacts on water quality, but have not yet considered the influences of viruses. In this study, we address this gap by mining viral DNA sequences from publicly available drinking water metagenomes from distribution systems in six countries around the world. These datasets provide a snapshot of the taxonomic diversity and metabolic potential of the global drinking water virome, and provide an opportunity to investigate the effects of geography, climate, and drinking water treatment practices on viral diversity. Both environmental conditions and differences in sample processing were found to influence the viral composition. Using free chlorine as the residual disinfectant was associated with clear differences in viral taxonomic diversity and metabolic potential, with significantly fewer viral populations and less even viral community structures than observed in distribution systems without residual disinfectant. Additionally, significantly more viral-encoded genes involved in mitigating oxidative stress were observed in systems that use free chlorine, while significantly more viral genes involved in nitrogen metabolism were observed in systems that do not. Through this study, we have demonstrated that viral communities are diverse across drinking water systems and vary with the use of residual disinfectant. Our findings offer directions for future research to develop a more robust understanding of how virus-bacteria interactions in drinking water distribution systems affect water quality.

scholarly journals The Water Safety Plan Approach: Application to Small Drinking-Water Systems—Case Studies in Salento (South Italy)

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 4360
Author(s):  
Francesca Serio ◽  
Lucia Martella ◽  
Giovanni Imbriani ◽  
Adele Idolo ◽  
Francesco Bagordo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Distribution Systems ◽  
Water Systems ◽  
Water Safety ◽  
Quality Of Water ◽  
Safety Plan ◽  
Water Safety Plan ◽  
Drinking Water Systems

Background: The quality of water for human consumption is an objective of fundamental importance for the defense of public health. Since the management of networks involves many problems of control and efficiency of distribution, the Water Safety Plan (WSP) was introduced to address these growing problems. Methods: WSP was applied to three companies in which the water resource assumes central importance: five water kiosks, a third-range vegetable processing company, and a residence and care institution. In drafting the plan, the terms and procedures designed and tested for the management of urban distribution systems were applied to safeguard the resource over time. Results: The case studies demonstrated the reliability of the application of the model even to small drinking-water systems, even though it involved a greater effort in analyzing the incoming water, the local intended use, and the possibilities for managing the containment of the dangers to which it is exposed. This approach demonstrates concrete effectiveness in identifying and mitigating the dangers of altering the quality of water. Conclusions: Thanks to the WSP applied to small drinking-water systems, we can move from management that is focused mainly on verifying the conformity of the finished product to the creation of a global risk assessment and management system that covers the entire water supply chain.

Sensory aspects of drinking water in contact with epoxy lined copper pipe

2007 ◽  
Vol 55 (5) ◽  
pp. 161-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.H. Heim ◽  
A.M. Dietrich
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Organic Compounds ◽  
Sensory Analysis ◽  
Water Samples ◽  
Distribution System ◽  
Distribution Systems ◽  
Free Chlorine ◽  
Copper Pipe

Pipe relining via in situ epoxy lining is used to remediate corroded plumbing or distribution systems. This investigation examined the effects on odour, TOC, THM formation and disinfectant demand in water exposed to epoxy-lined copper pipes used for home plumbing. The study was conducted in accordance with the Utility Quick Test, a migration/leaching method for utilities to conduct sensory analysis of materials in contact with drinking water. The test was performed using water with no disinfectant and levels of chlorine and monochloramines representative of those found in the distribution system. Panelists repeatedly and consistently described a “plastic/adhesive/putty” odour in the water from the pipes. The odour intensity remained relatively constant for each of two subsequent flushes. Water samples stored in the epoxy-lined pipes showed a significant increase in the leaching of organic compounds (as TOC), and this TOC was demonstrated to react with free chlorine to form trichloromethane. Water stored in the pipes also showed a marked increase in disinfectant demand relative to the water stored in glass control flasks. A study conducted at a full scale installation at an apartment demonstrated that after installation and regular use, the epoxy lining did not yield detectable differences in water quality.

scholarly journals Detection of Microcystins in Lake Manatee and Lake Washington – Two Florida Drinking Water Systems

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajesh Melaram ◽  
Brandon Lopez-Dueñas
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Surface Water Quality ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Water Systems ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Water Supplies ◽  
Intrinsic Nature ◽  
Lake Washington ◽  
Drinking Water Systems

Clean, fresh, and safe drinking water is essential to human health and well-being. Occasionally, chemical pollutants taint surface water quality used for consumption. Microcystins (MCs) are toxic heptapeptides produced by freshwater cyanobacteria. These secondary metabolites can reach hazardous concentrations, impairing surface drinking water supplies. Inconsistent screening of MCs is not uncommon in Florida waters as no provisional guidance value is established to protect public health. The occurrence of MCs in Lake Manatee and Lake Washington was monitored over the potential peak algae bloom season (June-August). An indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (icELISA) quantified total MCs in two drinking water systems. Varied concentrations occurred between June and July, whereas concentrations peaked in August. Overall, MC prevalence was higher in Lake Manatee than Lake Washington. Colorimetric assays measured phosphate and nitrite in environmental water samples. Phosphate and nitrite concentrations strongly correlated with total MCs (p < 0.01). The results indicate the intrinsic nature of environmental MCs in surface drinking water supplies and the need to examine hepatotoxin dynamics to preserve drinking water quality in community served areas.

scholarly journals Microbial Nitrogen Metabolism in Chloraminated Drinking Water Reservoirs

mSphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah C. Potgieter ◽  
Zihan Dai ◽  
Stephanus N. Venter ◽  
Makhosazana Sigudu ◽  
Ameet J. Pinto
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Nitrogen Metabolism ◽  
Distribution Systems ◽  
Water Systems ◽  
Nitrite Reduction ◽  
Water Utilities ◽  
Water Reservoirs ◽  
Nitrite Oxidizing Bacteria ◽  
Drinking Water Systems

ABSTRACT Ammonia availability due to chloramination can promote the growth of nitrifying organisms, which can deplete chloramine residuals and result in operational problems for drinking water utilities. In this study, we used a metagenomic approach to determine the identity and functional potential of microorganisms involved in nitrogen biotransformation within chloraminated drinking water reservoirs. Spatial changes in the nitrogen species included an increase in nitrate concentrations accompanied by a decrease in ammonium concentrations with increasing distance from the site of chloramination. This nitrifying activity was likely driven by canonical ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (i.e., Nitrosomonas) and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (i.e., Nitrospira) as well as by complete-ammonia-oxidizing (i.e., comammox) Nitrospira-like bacteria. Functional annotation was used to evaluate genes associated with nitrogen metabolism, and the community gene catalogue contained mostly genes involved in nitrification, nitrate and nitrite reduction, and nitric oxide reduction. Furthermore, we assembled 47 high-quality metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) representing a highly diverse assemblage of bacteria. Of these, five MAGs showed high coverage across all samples, which included two Nitrosomonas, Nitrospira, Sphingomonas, and Rhizobiales-like MAGs. Systematic genome-level analyses of these MAGs in relation to nitrogen metabolism suggest that under ammonia-limited conditions, nitrate may be also reduced back to ammonia for assimilation. Alternatively, nitrate may be reduced to nitric oxide and may potentially play a role in regulating biofilm formation. Overall, this study provides insight into the microbial communities and their nitrogen metabolism and, together with the water chemistry data, improves our understanding of nitrogen biotransformation in chloraminated drinking water distribution systems. IMPORTANCE Chloramines are often used as a secondary disinfectant when free chlorine residuals are difficult to maintain. However, chloramination is often associated with the undesirable effect of nitrification, which results in operational problems for many drinking water utilities. The introduction of ammonia during chloramination provides a potential source of nitrogen either through the addition of excess ammonia or through chloramine decay. This promotes the growth of nitrifying microorganisms and provides a nitrogen source (i.e., nitrate) for the growth for other organisms. While the roles of canonical ammonia-oxidizing and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria in chloraminated drinking water systems have been extensively investigated, those studies have largely adopted a targeted gene-centered approach. Further, little is known about the potential long-term cooccurrence of complete-ammonia-oxidizing (i.e., comammox) bacteria and the potential metabolic synergies of nitrifying organisms with their heterotrophic counterparts that are capable of denitrification and nitrogen assimilation. This study leveraged data obtained for genome-resolved metagenomics over a time series to show that while nitrifying bacteria are dominant and likely to play a major role in nitrification, their cooccurrence with heterotrophic organisms suggests that nitric oxide production and nitrate reduction to ammonia may also occur in chloraminated drinking water systems.

scholarly journals Water Quality in Selected Small Drinking Water Systems of Missouri Rural Communities

Beverages ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bin Hua ◽  
Ruipu Mu ◽  
Honglan Shi ◽  
Enos Inniss ◽  
John Yang
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Water Systems ◽  
Drinking Water Systems

scholarly journals Effect of increasing bromide concentration on toxicity in treated drinking water

2015 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 183-191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Sawade ◽  
Rolando Fabris ◽  
Andrew Humpage ◽  
Mary Drikas
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Water Treatment ◽  
Distribution Systems ◽  
Water Quality Management ◽  
Drinking Water Treatment ◽  
Sudden Onset ◽  
Toxic Species ◽  
Treated Drinking Water ◽  
The Impact

Research is increasingly indicating the potential chronic health effects of brominated disinfection by-products (DBPs). This is likely to increase with elevated bromide concentrations resulting from the impacts of climate change, projected to include extended periods of drought and the sudden onset of water quality changes. This will demand more rigorous monitoring throughout distribution systems and improved water quality management at water treatment plants (WTPs). In this work the impact of increased bromide concentration on formation of DBPs following conventional treatment and chlorination was assessed for two water sources. Bioanalytical tests were utilised to determine cytotoxicity of the water post disinfection. Coagulation was shown to significantly reduce the cytotoxicity of the water, indicating that removal of natural organic matter DBP precursors continues to be an important factor in drinking water treatment. Most toxic species appear to form within the first half hour following disinfectant addition. Increasing bromide concentration across the two waters was shown to increase the formation of trihalomethanes and shifted the haloacetic acid species distribution from chlorinated to those with greater bromine substitution. This correlated with increasing cytotoxicity. This work demonstrates the challenges faced by WTPs and the possible effects increasing levels of bromide in source waters could have on public health.

Water compliance challenges: how do Canadian small water systems respond?

Water Policy ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 349-369 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan Kot ◽  
Graham A. Gagnon ◽  
Heather Castleden
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Cultural Differences ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Regulatory Compliance ◽  
Water Systems ◽  
Small Community ◽  
Small Water ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Drinking Water Systems

Fundamental to community health and well-being is the capacity to access a sustainable supply of safe drinking water. Small community drinking water systems are the most vulnerable to contamination, and struggle to secure the funds necessary to improve water treatment and delivery systems, and meet increasingly stringent drinking water quality regulations. Little is known of the contextual and cultural differences between communities and the impact this has on regulatory compliance. This study explored the experiences and impact of individual actors within seven small community drinking water systems in locations across Canada. Qualitative, in-person interviews were conducted with water operators, consumers, and decision-makers in each community, and these findings were analysed thematically. Findings from the study show that communities approach and align with compliance challenges in three distinct ways: by adopting regulator-provided or regulator-driven solutions, by adopting an existing improvement framework (i.e. regionalization), or through reinvention to address a new issue or concern. Policy-makers looking to align small communities with appropriate water quality goals may benefit from a consideration of these contextual and cultural differences.

Approach for drinking water quality monitoring in rural areas: Morocco's case

2004 ◽  
Vol 4 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 415-419 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Benqlilou ◽  
L. Laraki ◽  
A. Outair
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Water Systems ◽  
Water Disinfection ◽  
Drinking Water Quality ◽  
Residual Chlorine ◽  
Simplified Approach ◽  
Drinking Water Systems

Rural areas in Morocco are characterized by specific particulars dispersal, remoteness and importance. Considering this particular context, it is necessary to adjust the analysis and treatment methods, the monitoring and sanitary inspection systems. Within this framework, a new methodology was developed with the purpose of supervising and monitoring drinking water quality in rural areas. This methodology consists basically in applying common norms for rural localities bordering existing adductions, and in the adoption of a simplified approach for non-accessible rural localities supplied by autonomous drinking water systems. The simplified approach relies essentially on sanitary inspection data and on the control of parameters that constitute a sanitary risk in the short term (bacteriological parameters). The control of residual chlorine content is so important, for it ensures a high bacteriological quality of water and can offer the opportunity for a quick reaction of the manager. These two approaches are based mainly on resource protection, water disinfection and population awareness about the good use and preservation of water quality. Indeed, in order to ensure the continuity of rural autonomous drinking water systems in terms of quantity and quality of distributed water, various management models were developed: management by means of water user associations, and by a private operator. For these different modes of management, the methodology to adopt for supervising and monitoring drinking water quality in rural areas together with the attribution of tasks and responsibilities was already established. The right of citizens to sustainable and safe water is a stimulating challenge which requires the collaboration and involvement of all acting agents in the sector.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document