Abstract
Microbial biofilm formation on pipe walls has been shown to cause serious problems in potable water systems, including corrosion and the provision of sites for pathogenic bacterial development. The potential health threat associated with biofilms in potable water systems is discussed. An emerging problem is developing within the water sector with respect to the virulence of opportunistic bacterial pathogens which are, as well as being part of the normal planktonic heterotrophic bacterial population, readily isolated as sessile populations removed from pipes transporting potable water. Essentially only the bacteria in biofilms of potable water systems are multiplying and, owing to sloughing as a result of water shear, these constitute one of the main causes of deterioration of the microbiological quality of potable water systems, which could constitute a public health issue.
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