Nutrients for Bacterial Growth in Drinking Water: Bioassay Evaluation

摘要

The regrowth of bacteria in drinking water distribution systems can lead to the deterioration of water quality. Pathogenic bacteria are heterotrophs, and heterotrophs are probably the dominant bacteria associated with the regrowth phenomenon. Only a portion of the total organic carbon in drinking water is biologically labile to heterotrophic bacteria, and a bioassay developed to quantify this assimilable organic carbon (AOC) has been proposed as an index of the regrowth potential of drinking water. The authors have evaluated both biological and chemical assays for determining AOC as related to regrowth of bacteria in drinking waters from surface water and groundwater sources. Correlations of the bioassay AOC with chemical determinations were poor, but with improvements they have made in the handling of the test water, glassware, and P-17, the authors suggest that the bioassay holds promise for a simple routine measure of drinking water regrowth potential.