Drinking water systems host a wide range of microorganisms
essential
for biosafety. However, one major group of waterborne pathogens, protozoa,
is relatively neglected compared to bacteria and other microorganisms.
Until now, little is known about the growth and fate of protozoa and
their associated bacteria in drinking water systems. In this study,
we aim to investigate how drinking water treatment affects the growth
and fate of protozoa and their associated bacteria in a subtropical
megacity. The results showed that viable protozoa were prevalent in
the city’s tap water, and amoebae were the major component
of tap water protozoa. In addition, protozoan-associated bacteria
contained many potential pathogens and were primarily enriched in
amoeba hosts. Furthermore, this study showed that current drinking
water disinfection methods have little effect on protozoa and their
associated bacteria. Besides, ultrafiltration membranes unexpectedly
served as an ideal growth surface for amoebae in drinking water systems,
and they could significantly promote the growth of amoeba-associated
bacteria. In conclusion, this study shows that viable protozoa and
their associated bacteria are prevalent in tap water, which may present
an emerging health risk in drinking water biosafety.
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