AWWA WQTC62368

A pilot study was conducted over a 14-month period comparing the type and quantity of bacteria present in the Water Authority-Cayman (WAC), Cayman Islands, distribution system using a combination of heterotrophic plate count (HPC) culture methods and fatty ester methyl ester (FAME) analysis techniques. The study was divided into two distinct phases: in the first phase HPC bacteria in the bulkwater were isolated from inlet (feedwater) to outlet (treated distribution water) and further characterized down to genus or species depending on an available database match, a pipe-loop system was constructed for the second phase of the study to examine the rate of biofilm growth on different pipe surfaces (PVC, ductile iron, steel, PE, brass, copper) and to compare the type of biofilm organisms to those in the bulk fluid. Includes 8 references, tables, figures.