Biofilms in Natural and Drinking Water Systems

Abstract

Biofilm Components Formation and Structure of Biofilms Identification of Biofilm Bacteria Assessment of Metabolic Activities Community Interactions Examples of Natural Biofilms

Polysaccharides and Proteins Added to Flowing Drinking Water at Microgram-per-Liter Levels Promote the Formation of Biofilms Predominated by Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria

“…Certain planktonic freshwater representatives of the genus Flavobacterium are particularly adapted to growth with polysaccharides and proteins at a few g C liter Ϫ1 in batch tests (23)(24)(25). However, under the turbulent flow conditions prevailing in drinking water distribution systems and in certain natural lotic freshwater systems (e.g., brooks and streams), surface-attached rather than planktonic microorganisms predominate (26). Biofilm formation in drinking water distribution systems can impair drinking water quality and safety by causing increased levels of coliform and heterotrophic bacteria, esthetic problems (e.g., unusual taste, odor, appearance, presence of invertebrates), and the growth of opportunistic pathogens such as Legionella pneumophila, nontuberculous mycobacteria, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (27).…”