Comparative Rates of Disinfection of Microbial Indicator Organisms in Chlorinated Sewage Effluents

1992 ◽  
Vol 26 (9-11) ◽  
pp. 2185-2189 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. R. Rippey ◽  
W. D. Watkins
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Maximum Flow ◽  
Decay Rates ◽  
Fecal Coliforms ◽  
Indicator Organisms ◽  
Chlorine Disinfection ◽  
Flow Capacity ◽  
Seafood Products ◽  
Male Specific ◽  
Specific Bacteriophage

The densities of several microbial indicator organisms, including fecal coliforms, enterococci, Clostridiumperfrinaens, and a male-specific bacteriophage group, were determined in the pre- and post-chlorinated effluents of three wastewater treatment plants during a rainfall event when the plants were operating near maximum flow capacity. These studies were undertaken to determine the effects of elevated flow rates on the relative rates of inactivation of the microbial indicators due to chlorine disinfection. Three distinctly different responses to chlorine treatment were observed. The vegetative bacterial organisms (fecal coliforms and enterococci) were most sensitive, the male-specific bacteriophage group was considerably more refractory, and c. perfringens, a bacterial spore-former, was highly resistant to inactivation by the disinfecting agent. These findings are significant for two reasons. First, the vegetative bacterial indicators did not reliably index the decay rates of the bacterial virus under the field conditions experienced. This has important public health ramifications to consumers of certain seafood products and to marine recreationists. Second, because of the highly refractory nature of the c. perfrinaens spore, this microbial indicator has practical use in assessing the magnitude of the impacts (source strengths) of sewage contaminated wastewaters on estuarine and marine environments.

scholarly journals Persistence and Differential Survival of Fecal Indicator Bacteria in Subtropical Waters and Sediments

2005 ◽  
Vol 71 (6) ◽  
pp. 3041-3048 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimberly L. Anderson ◽  
John E. Whitlock ◽  
Valerie J. Harwood
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Contaminated Soil ◽  
Host Species ◽  
Fecal Pollution ◽  
Decay Rates ◽  
Fecal Coliforms ◽  
Water Type ◽  
Indicator Organisms ◽  
Differential Survival ◽  
Fecal Indicator

ABSTRACT Fecal coliforms and enterococci are indicator organisms used worldwide to monitor water quality. These bacteria are used in microbial source tracking (MST) studies, which attempt to assess the contribution of various host species to fecal pollution in water. Ideally, all strains of a given indicator organism (IO) would experience equal persistence (maintenance of culturable populations) in water; however, some strains may have comparatively extended persistence outside the host, while others may persist very poorly in environmental waters. Assessment of the relative contribution of host species to fecal pollution would be confounded by differential persistence of strains. Here, freshwater and saltwater mesocosms, including sediments, were inoculated with dog feces, sewage, or contaminated soil and were incubated under conditions that included natural stressors such as microbial predators, radiation, and temperature fluctuations. Persistence of IOs was measured by decay rates (change in culturable counts over time). Decay rates were influenced by IO, inoculum, water type, sediment versus water column location, and Escherichia coli strain. Fecal coliform decay rates were significantly lower than those of enterococci in freshwater but were not significantly different in saltwater. IO persistence according to mesocosm treatment followed the trend: contaminated soil > wastewater > dog feces. E. coli ribotyping demonstrated that certain strains were more persistent than others in freshwater mesocosms, and the distribution of ribotypes sampled from mesocosm waters was dissimilar from the distribution in fecal material. These results have implications for the accuracy of MST methods, modeling of microbial populations in water, and efficacy of regulatory standards for protection of water quality.

Microbial indicator removal in onsite constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment in the southeastern U.S.

2001 ◽  
Vol 44 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 177-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
E.C. Barrett ◽  
M.D. Sobsey ◽  
C.H. House ◽  
K.D. White
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Constructed Wetlands ◽  
Geometric Mean ◽  
Domestic Wastewater ◽  
Fecal Coliforms ◽  
Indicator Organisms ◽  
Somatic Coliphages ◽  
Wastewater Indicator ◽  
Male Specific

Seven onsite constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment in the coastal plains of Alabama and North Carolina were studied from September 1997 to July 1998. Each site was examined for its ability to remove a range of fecal contamination indicators from settled wastewater. Indicator organisms include total and fecal coliforms, enterococci, Clostridium perfringens, and somatic and male-specific (F+) coliphages. Four identical domestic wastewater treatment sites in Alabama were evaluated. In these sites the Log10 geometric mean reductions ranged between 0.5 and 2.6 for total and fecal coliforms, 0.1 and 1.5 for enterococci, 1.2 to 2.7 for C. perfringens, -0.3 and 1.2 for somatic coliphages, and -0.2 and 2.2 for F+ coliphages. Three unique designs were examined in North Carolina. Log10 geometric mean reductions ranged between 0.8 to 4.2 for total and fecal coliforms, 0.3 to 2.9 for enterococci, 1.6 to 2.9 for C. perfringens, -0.2 and 2.8 for somatic coliphages, and -0.1 and 1.5 for F+ coliphages. Somatic and F+ coliphage detection was highly variable from month to month.

scholarly journals Impact of Urban Fires in Drainage Systems: an Experimental Case Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
pp. 128-137
Author(s):  
Carla Pimentel-Rodrigues ◽  
João Almeida ◽  
Armando Silva-Afonso ◽  
Pedro Barreirinha
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
Maximum Flow ◽  
Subsequent Treatment ◽  
Water Runoff ◽  
Drainage Systems ◽  
Flow Capacity ◽  
Urban Fires ◽  
Treatment Facilities

The number of existing studies on the effect of urban fires on drainage systems and treatment facilities is relatively scarce. However, as shown in this paper, the water runoff generated during an urban firefighting can impact these systems. The maximum flow capacity of sewers or other components of the drainage systems can be exceeded. Contaminated water resulting from the fire combat can also impact on subsequent treatment operations taking place at domestic sewage treatment facilities or wastewater treatment plants. Further environmental concerns may be raised if these runoffs are discharged without any treatment. In this paper, a case study is presented to assess the possible effects of urban firefighting on drainage systems and treatment facilities. For this, a simulation of a fire in a traditional Portuguese dwelling was carried out, collecting and analysing the water effluent resulting from the firefighting. Potential physicochemical and hydraulic impacts were discussed taking into account European and Portuguese context. With this work, the authors aimed to provide authorities with information that allows planning or implementation corrective interventions that may be necessary to mitigate potential impacts in the case of urban fires.

scholarly journals Occurrence of Male-Specific Bacteriophage in Feral and Domestic Animal Wastes, Human Feces, and Human-Associated Wastewaters

1998 ◽  
Vol 64 (12) ◽  
pp. 5027-5029 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin R. Calci ◽  
William Burkhardt ◽  
William D. Watkins ◽  
Scott R. Rippey
Keyword(s):  
Animal Species ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Great Majority ◽  
Domestic Animal ◽  
Aquatic Environments ◽  
Animal Wastes ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
Male Specific ◽  
Specific Bacteriophage

ABSTRACT Male-specific bacteriophage (MSB) densities were determined in animal and human fecal wastes to assess their potential impact on aquatic environments. Fecal samples (1,031) from cattle, chickens, dairy cows, dogs, ducks, geese, goats, hogs, horses, seagulls, sheep, and humans as well as 64 sewerage samples were examined for MSB. All animal species were found to harbor MSB, although the great majority excreted these viruses at very low levels. The results from this study demonstrate that in areas affected by both human and animal wastes, wastewater treatment plants are the principal contributors of MSB to fresh, estuarine, and marine waters.

Campylobacter in waterborne epidemics in Finland

2004 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 39-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.-L. Hänninen ◽  
R. Kärenlampi
Keyword(s):  
Campylobacter Jejuni ◽  
Causative Agent ◽  
Water Samples ◽  
Fecal Coliforms ◽  
Risk Level ◽  
Source Water ◽  
Indicator Organisms ◽  
Faecal Contamination ◽  
E Coli ◽  
July August September

The sources for drinking water in Finland are surface water, groundwater or artificially recharged groundwater. There are approximately 1400 groundwater plants in Finland that are microbiologically at a high risk level because in most cases they do not use any disinfection treatment. Campylobacter jejuni has caused waterborne epidemics in several countries. Since the middle of the 1980s, C. jejuni has been identified as the causative agent in several waterborne outbreaks in Finland. Between 1998 and 2001, C. jejuni or C. upsaliensis caused seven reported waterborne epidemics. In these epidemics approximately 4000 people acquired the illness. Most of the outbreaks occurred in July, August , September or October. In four of them source water and net water samples were analysed for total coliforms or fecal coliforms, E. coli and campylobacters. We showed that large volumes of water samples in studies of indicator organisms (up to 5000 ml) and campylobacters (4000–20,000 ml) increased the possibility to identify faecal contamination and to detect the causative agent from suspected sources.

Comparison of decay rates of faecal indicator organisms in recreational coastal water and sediment

2002 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 131-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.L. Craig ◽  
H.J. Fallowfield ◽  
N.J. Cromar
Keyword(s):  
Water Column ◽  
Coastal Water ◽  
Decay Rates ◽  
Organic Carbon Content ◽  
Indicator Organisms ◽  
Filtration Method ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Water And Sediment ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
High Organic Carbon Content

A laboratory based microcosm study utilising intact non-sterile sediment cores was undertaken to determine the survival of the faecal indicator organisms Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecium and somatic coliphage in both recreational coastal water and sediment. Overlying water was inoculated with the test organisms and incubated at 10°C, 20°C or 30°C. E. coli, enterococcus and coliphage were enumerated from the water column and sediment by the membrane filtration method, Enterolert (IDEXX Laboratories) and the double-agar overlay methods respectively on days 0, 1, 2, 7, 14 and 28 following inoculation. It was demonstrated that for all organisms, greater decay (k; d-1) occurred in the water column compared to sediment. Sediment characteristics were found to influence decay, with lowest decay rates observed in sediment consisting of high organic carbon content and small particle size. Decay of E. coli was significantly greater in both the water column and sediment compared with enterococcus and coliphage under all conditions. Decay of enterococcus was found to closely resemble that of coliphage decay. Survival of all organisms was inversely related to temperature, with greatest decay at 30°C. However, increased temperature had a less significant impact on survival of enterococcus and coliphage compared with E. coli. The importance of this study for estimating risk from recreational exposure is great if some pathogenic microorganisms behave similarly to the organisms tested in this study. In particular if survival rates of pathogens are similar to enterococcus and coliphage, then their ability to accumulate in coastal sediment may lead to an increased risk of exposure if these organisms are resuspended into the water column due to natural turbulence or human recreational activity.

Comparison of F-specific bacteriophage, enterococci, and faecal coliform densities through a wastewater treatment process employing oxidation ponds

1995 ◽  
Vol 31 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 85-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. J. Turner ◽  
G. D. Lewis
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Treatment Process ◽  
Faecal Coliform ◽  
Indicator Organisms ◽  
Faecal Coliforms ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Process ◽  
Oxidation Pond ◽  
Oxidation Ponds ◽  
Specific Bacteriophage

Over a 12 month period F-specific bacteriophages, faecal coliforms and enterococci were compared as microbial indicator organisms for the quality of a wastewater treatment (oxidation pond) system. Results suggest that enterococci may be the most useful indicator for oxidation pond systems.

Water Quality of Swimming Pools in Jerusalem

1993 ◽  
Vol 27 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 287-294 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Lerman ◽  
O. Lev ◽  
A. Adin ◽  
E. Katzenelson
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Fecal Coliforms ◽  
Pathogenic Microorganisms ◽  
Swimming Pools ◽  
Indicator Organisms ◽  
Indicator Microorganisms ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Safe Water ◽  
Indirect Information

The Israel Ministry of Health is now revising its regulations for the assurance of safe water quality in public swimming pools. Since it is not possible to monitor each of the pathogenic microorganisms, it is often recommended to monitor indicator bacteria which provide indirect information on the water quality in the swimming pool. Three indicator microorganisms are often recommended: coliform counts (total coliforms, fecal coliforms or E. Coli), staphylococcus aureus and pseudomonas aeruginosa. A four year survey of the water quality of swimming pools in the Jerusalem District was conducted in order to determine whether the monitoring of all three indicators is necessary to assure safe water quality or is it sufficient to monitor only a single microorganism. A statistical analysis, conducted by using several different statistical techniques, reveals that the populations of the three indicator organisms are significantly interdependent but the correlations between each pair of these indicators are not sufficient to base a prediction of any of the organisms based on the measurements of the others. Therefore, it is concluded that monitoring of all three indicators should be recommended in order to provide an adequate picture of the water quality in swimming pools.

scholarly journals Ultrafiltration Process in Disinfection and Advanced Treatment of Tertiary Treated Wastewater

Membranes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 221
Author(s):  
Rafał Tytus Bray ◽  
Katarzyna Jankowska ◽  
Eliza Kulbat ◽  
Aneta Łuczkiewicz ◽  
Aleksandra Sokołowska
Keyword(s):  
Wastewater Treatment ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Microscopic Analysis ◽  
Fecal Coliforms ◽  
Treated Wastewater ◽  
Chemical Parameters ◽  
Virus Particles ◽  
E Coli ◽  
The One ◽  
Physical And Chemical

The paper presents the results of research on the use of ultrafiltration, using membranes of 200 and 400 kDa separation, for disinfection of municipal treated wastewater. The research was conducted on a fractional technical scale using real municipal treated wastewater from two large wastewater treatment plants treating most of the wastewater over the one-million polycentric Gdańsk agglomeration (1.2 million inhabitants). UF 200 kDa and UF 400 kDa processes enabled further improvement of the physical and chemical parameters of treated wastewater. Total phosphorus (to below 0.2 mg/L–UF 200 kDa, 0.13 mg/L–UF 400 kDa) and turbid substances (to below 0.2 mg/L, both membranes) were removed in the highest degree. COD was reduced efficiently (to below 25.6 mgO2/L–UF 200 kDa, 26.8 mgO2/L–UF 400 kDa), while total nitrogen was removed to a small extent (to 7.12 mg/L–UF 200 kDa and 5.7 mg/L–UF 400 kDa. Based on the reduction of indicator bacteria; fecal coliforms including E. coli (FC) and fecal enterococci (FE) it was found that the ultrafiltration is an effective method of disinfection. Not much indicator bacterial were observed in the permeate after processes (UF 200 kDa; FC—5 CFU/L; FE—1 CFU/L and UF 400 kDa; FC—70 CFU/L; FE—10 CFU/L. However, microscopic analysis of prokaryotic cells and virus particles showed their presence after the application of both membrane types; TCN 3.0 × 102 cells/mL–UF 200 kDa, 5.0 × 103 cells/mL–UF 400 kDa, VP 1.0 × 105/mL. The presence of potentially pathogenic, highly infectious virus particles means that ultrafiltration cannot be considered a sufficient disinfection method for treated wastewater diverted for reuse or discharged from high load wastewater treatment plants to recreational areas. For full microbiological safety it would be advisable to apply an additional disinfection method (e.g., ozonation).

Occurrence and die-off of indicator organisms in the sediment in two constructed wetlands

2001 ◽  
Vol 44 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 223-230 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.A. Stentström ◽  
A. Carlander
Keyword(s):  
Constructed Wetlands ◽  
Municipal Wastewater ◽  
Full Scale ◽  
Water Phase ◽  
Fecal Coliforms ◽  
Main Concern ◽  
Particle Removal ◽  
Stormwater Treatment ◽  
Indicator Organisms ◽  
Factors Affecting

The interest in constructed wetlands for municipal wastewater and stormwater treatment has recently increased but data for the reduction efficiency of indicator organisms are often restricted to the water phase. In a full-scale wastewater wetland in Sweden fecal coliforms and enterococci were reduced by 97-99.9% and coliphages by approximately 70%. The factors affecting the reduction are however less well understood. In two full-scale wetlands, for stormwater and wastewater treatment, an assessment has been done of the particle associated fraction of indicator organisms. No significant differences in the particle-associated numbers were seen between the inlet and the outlet of the wetlands, but the amounts of sedimenting particles varied between the two sites. In the stormwater wetland the amount of sedimenting particles at the outlet was 3% of the amount at the inlet, while the wastewater wetland had much lower particle removal efficiency. The reduction of suspended particles seems to be the main factor for bacterial elimination from the water phase, governed by vegetation and design. In the sediment, survival of presumptive E.coli, fecal enterococci, Clostridium and coliphages were long with T90-values of 27, 27, 252 and 370 days, respectively. The organisms can however be reintroduced by resuspension. Viruses in the water phase may be of main concern for a risk assessment of receiving waters.

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