DNA-based microbial analysis for distribution systems

摘要

Recent advances in DNA technology now allow nearly all microbes in a water sample to be identified and quantified based on their DNA fingerprint. DNA technologies have been exponentially decreasing in cost since the first human genome was published in 2001 at a cost of $3 billion to just a couple of thousand dollars today, and likely $100 in a couple years. The costs are at the point where it has become economically feasible to identify and quantify nearly every microbe in water samples using DNA. This technology can be used to investigate a variety of issues including positive coliform tests, aesthetic complaints, biofilms, nitrification and corrosion.