scholarly journals Prevalence of Antibiotic Resistance in Drinking Water Treatment and Distribution Systems

2009 ◽  
Vol 75 (17) ◽  
pp. 5714-5718 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chuanwu Xi ◽  
Yongli Zhang ◽  
Carl F. Marrs ◽  
Wen Ye ◽  
Carl Simon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Water Treatment ◽  
Distribution Systems ◽  
Water Distribution ◽  
Tap Water ◽  
Water Distribution Systems ◽  
Drinking Water Treatment ◽  
Molecular Techniques ◽  
Source Water

ABSTRACT The occurrence and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) are pressing public health problems worldwide, and aquatic ecosystems are a recognized reservoir for ARB. We used culture-dependent methods and quantitative molecular techniques to detect and quantify ARB and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in source waters, drinking water treatment plants, and tap water from several cities in Michigan and Ohio. We found ARGs and heterotrophic ARB in all finished water and tap water tested, although the amounts were small. The quantities of most ARGs were greater in tap water than in finished water and source water. In general, the levels of bacteria were higher in source water than in tap water, and the levels of ARB were higher in tap water than in finished water, indicating that there was regrowth of bacteria in drinking water distribution systems. Elevated resistance to some antibiotics was observed during water treatment and in tap water. Water treatment might increase the antibiotic resistance of surviving bacteria, and water distribution systems may serve as an important reservoir for the spread of antibiotic resistance to opportunistic pathogens.

scholarly journals Investigation on the fate of quinolone antibiotics in three drinking water treatment plants of China

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhiquan Liu ◽  
Yongpeng Xu ◽  
Yuan Wang ◽  
Fuyi Cui
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Water Treatment ◽  
Tap Water ◽  
Drinking Water Treatment ◽  
Chemical Oxidation ◽  
Source Water ◽  
Water Treatment Plants ◽  
Detection Frequency ◽  
Quinolone Antibiotics ◽  
Carbon Filtration

Abstract Quinolone (QN) antibiotics are widely used all over the world and have been frequently detected in source water, but the occurrence in tap water and the treatment efficiencies of QNs by drinking-water treatment plants (DWTPs) were rarely reported. In the present study, the occurrence and distribution of six representative QNs in three urban DWTPs of China were investigated. The results showed that the concentrations of total QNs in the three source waters ranged from 26.4 ng/L to 313.8 ng/L and all of the six QNs were detectable with a detection frequency of 100% (4.6 to 121.7 ng/L). Enrofloxacin (ENR) and ofloxacin (OFL) were the dominant species of QNs and accounted for 40.1% to 79.5% of the total QNs. After the treatments, there were still considerable QNs in the finished water (total amounts of 74.9 ng/L to 148.4 ng/L). The adsorbed QNs could be readily treated with the removal of turbidity by DWTPs, but only a part of the dissolved QNs (13.6% to 68.5%) can be removed. This implies that the dissolved QNs were more hazardous in the source water. Pre-oxidation and disinfection could remove 15.8 ± 8.3% and 16.9 ± 10.8% of dissolved QNs, respectively, depending on the chemical structure of QNs and the types of oxidant. Chemical oxidation was more efficient than coagulation-sedimentation and filtration for the treatment of dissolved QNs. Ozone-granular activated carbon filtration may fail to remove dissolved QNs in the actual DWTPs, because of the insufficient dosage of oxidant and the competition effect of natural organic matter.

Effects of zinc orthophosphate on the antibiotic resistant bacterial community of a source water used for drinking water treatment

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (9) ◽  
pp. 1523-1534 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony D. Kappell ◽  
Katherine R. Harrison ◽  
Patrick J. McNamara
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Water Treatment ◽  
Bacterial Community ◽  
Selective Pressure ◽  
Drinking Water Treatment ◽  
Source Water ◽  
Antibiotic Resistant

The presence of zinc, and not orthophosphate, was the selective pressure for antibiotic resistance.

Biofouling: an historic and contemporary review of its causes, consequences and control in drinking water distribution systems

Biofilms ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 197-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. T. Bachmann ◽  
R. G. J. Edyvean
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Water Treatment ◽  
Distribution Systems ◽  
Water Distribution ◽  
Bacterial Load ◽  
Microbial Control ◽  
Water Distribution Systems ◽  
Water Disinfection ◽  
Pipe Material ◽  
Pipe Materials

Biofouling in water distribution systems has, arguably, affected our lives for more than 3500 years. It may be defined as the undesirable accumulation of biotic matter on a surface, which can cause odour and taste problems, the deterioration of pipe materials and fittings and result in the discoloration of water. Early efforts to combat these problems included the use of sedimentation tanks, disinfection by silver ionization and cleaning of the distribution network. At the turn of the nineteenth century, rapid sand filtration and water disinfection became widely used and helped to reduce the organic and bacterial load in drinking water. A better understanding of the role and causes of biofouling in water distribution systems resulted in various legislations, which in turn have been a driving factor for improving or developing new water treatment methods, pipe materials, analytical techniques, etc. However, increasing requirements on water quality in the late twentieth century made water treatment and specific anti-corrosion and/or microbial control regimens insufficient as a means of solving the transportation problem owing to the heterogeneity of pipe materials and contamination from outside the distribution system. Furthermore, as drinking water passes through the mains it undergoes a series of quality changes owing to interactions with the pipe walls, bacteria and the sediment phase.This review emphasizes the extent to which biofouling depends on interactions between microorganisms and (1) nutrients, (2) environmental conditions (temperature), (3) physicochemical processes (sedimentation, corrosion, disinfection) and (4) pipe material. A good knowledge of these complex interactions is necessary for implementing a successful biofouling control strategy.

scholarly journals Antibiotic resistance in tap water during the summer season – preliminary research

2019 ◽  
Vol 116 ◽  
pp. 00077
Author(s):  
Agata Siedlecka ◽  
Katarzyna Piekarska
Keyword(s):  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Water Treatment ◽  
Distribution Systems ◽  
Water Distribution ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Tap Water ◽  
Antibiotic Resistance Genes ◽  
Resistant Bacteria ◽  
Water Treatment Plants ◽  
Spatial And Seasonal Variation

Antibiotic resistance of bacteria is regarded as a global health risk and should be monitored in all environments, including tap water distribution systems. In this study, tap water samples were collected from two water treatment plants and selected points-of-use from the water distribution network. The abundances of antibiotic resistant bacteria were determined via culture-dependent method and the presence of selected antibiotic resistance genes was detected via PCR. The influence of the distance of points-of-use from water treatment plants on bacterial loads and antibiotic resistance phenomenon was evaluated. The paper presents preliminary results of a large-scale study concerning spatial and seasonal variation in antibiotic resistance of bacteria dwelling in the tap water system in Wrocław.

scholarly journals Virus contamination from operation and maintenance events in small drinking water distribution systems

2011 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 799-812 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisabetta Lambertini ◽  
Susan K. Spencer ◽  
Burney A. Kieke ◽  
Frank J. Loge ◽  
Mark A. Borchardt
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Distribution System ◽  
Distribution Systems ◽  
Water Distribution ◽  
Tap Water ◽  
Water Distribution Systems ◽  
Ultraviolet Disinfection ◽  
Drinking Water Distribution Systems ◽  
Virus Contamination ◽  
Drinking Water Distribution

We tested the association of common events in drinking water distribution systems with contamination of household tap water with human enteric viruses. Viruses were enumerated by qPCR in the tap water of 14 municipal systems that use non-disinfected groundwater. Ultraviolet disinfection was installed at all active wellheads to reduce virus contributions from groundwater to the distribution systems. As no residual disinfectant was added to the water, any increase in virus levels measured downstream at household taps would be indicative of distribution system intrusions. Utility operators reported events through written questionnaires. Virus outcome measures were related to distribution system events using binomial and gamma regression. Virus concentrations were elevated in the wells, reduced or eliminated by ultraviolet disinfection, and elevated again in distribution systems, showing that viruses were, indeed, directly entering the systems. Pipe installation was significantly associated with higher virus levels, whereas hydrant flushing was significantly associated with lower virus levels. Weak positive associations were observed for water tower maintenance, valve exercising, and cutting open a water main. Coliform bacteria detections from routine monitoring were not associated with viruses. Understanding when distribution systems are most vulnerable to virus contamination, and taking precautionary measures, will ensure delivery of safe drinking water.

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