Print Email Facebook Twitter Impact of Distribution and Network Flushing on the Drinking Water Microbiome Title Impact of Distribution and Network Flushing on the Drinking Water Microbiome Author El Chakhtoura, J. (TU Delft BT/Environmental Biotechnology; King Abdullah University of Science and Technology) Saikaly, Pascal E. (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology) van Loosdrecht, Mark C.M. (TU Delft BT/Environmental Biotechnology) Vrouwenvelder, J.S. (TU Delft BT/Environmental Biotechnology; King Abdullah University of Science and Technology) Date 2018 Abstract We sampled the tap water of seven unique, full-scale drinking water distribution systems at different locations as well as the corresponding treatment plant effluents to evaluate the impact of distribution and the potential presence of a core drinking water microbiome. The water was also sampled during network flushing to examine its effect on the microbial ecology. While a core microbiome dominated by Gammaproteobacteria was found using 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing, an increase in biomass was detected in the networks, especially during flushing. Water age did not significantly impact the microbiology. Irrespective of differences in treatment plants, tap water bacterial communities in the distinct networks converged and highly resembled the flushed water communities. Piping biofilm and sediment communities therefore largely determine the final tap water microbial quality, attenuating the impact of water source and treatment strategy and highlighting the fundamental role of local physicochemical conditions and microbial processes within infrastructure micro-niches. Subject 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencingbiofilmcore microbiomedrinking water distribution systemmicrobial ecologynetwork flushingresidence timewater quality To reference this document use: http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:deeb2b8b-d7f6-4d2c-990b-c7931339f253 DOI https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2018.02205 ISSN 1664-302X Source Frontiers in Microbiology, 9 Part of collection Institutional Repository Document type journal article Rights © 2018 J. El Chakhtoura, Pascal E. Saikaly, Mark C.M. van Loosdrecht, J.S. Vrouwenvelder Files PDF fmicb_09_02205.pdf 2.06 MB Close viewer /islandora/object/uuid:deeb2b8b-d7f6-4d2c-990b-c7931339f253/datastream/OBJ/view