AWWA WQTC65940

Chlorination of drinking water and wastewater generates a group of byproducts including haloacetic acids (HAAs) that pose serious risks on human health. Dominant bacterial populations functioning in the biodegradation of HAAs in drinking water, pipe wall biofilm, granular activated carbon (GAC) filter biofilm, and wastewater were investigated by continuous enrichment and isolation of organisms capable of growth with three dominant HAAs, monochloroacetic acide (MCAA), dichloroacetic acid (DCAA), or trichloroacetic acid (TCAA), as sole carbon and energy source. Phylogenetic analysis, dehalogenase genes, and characterization of HAA degradation of the organisms in the environment is underway. Includes 16 references, figures.