IDENTIFICATION OF COLIFORM SPECIES AND CHARACTERIZATION OF BIOFILMS FROM THE WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FLORIDA

摘要

Hillsborough County, Florida has detected coliform species within both the Northwest and South Central regions of its distribution system over the past six years. Furthermore, during the past two years the detection of total coliforms has exceeded 5% of the sample prevalence. However, the occurrence showed a seasonality, peaking in late summer to early fall, which coincided with the rainy season and lower water consumption. This project was designed to study the microbial ecology within the distribution system, as well as any public health issues. Analysis included speciating heterotrophic plate count and coliform bacteria using the Analytical Profile Index system and Biolog. The project also included analysis of biofilms in meters removed from the distribution system. The meters were chosen based upon the service record of the area from which they were taken, as well as upon the rationale of achieving a general overview of the system. The presence or absence of coliforms, pathogenic bacteria, such as