Conventional and Alternative Disinfection Methods of Legionella in Water Distribution Systems – Review

Abstract

-Prevalence of Legionella in drinking water distribution systems is a widespread problem. Outbreaks of Legionella caused diseases occur despite various disinfectants are used in order to control Legionella. Conventional methods like thermal disinfection, silver/copper ionization, ultraviolet irradiation or chlorine-based disinfection have not been effective in the long term for control of biofilm bacteria. Therefore, research to develop more effective disinfection methods is still necessary.

Nanoceramics and novel functionalized silicate-based magnetic nanocomposites as substitutional disinfectants for water and wastewater purification

“…To overcome the shortfalls of chemical treatment of water, some alternative approaches such as solar disinfection, UV disinfection, photocatalytic oxidation, thermal disinfection, and ozonation have been considered (Pūle 2017;Trojanowicz et al 2018). Despite the reported successes of these water disinfection methods, each of them has certain disadvantages that make their use limited or unfavorable in some instances.…”

“…For example, some Gram-negative spore-formers may require longer exposure time for complete disinfection by SODIS (solar water disinfection); bacterial regrowth after 24 h posttreatment has been reported with SODIS, due to the initiation of photo-associated DNA repair (Hamilton et al 2018). Similarly, added to the regrowth observed with SODIS, disinfection through UV irradiation is considered an expensive alternative and requires extensive and regular maintenance of equipment, while ozonation can also produce hazardous disinfection by-products (Pūle 2017).…”

Safety and Effectiveness of Monochloramine Treatment for Disinfecting Hospital Water Networks

“…Alternatives to chlorine such as chlorine dioxide, chloramines, ozone, and UV disinfection can be used. Chlorine and each of these disinfectants have different advantages and disadvantages in terms of cost, efficacy and stability, ease of application, pipe corrosion, and types of DBPs [ 8 , 9 ]. The DBPs of most concern include trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids formed with chlorine, bromate formed during ozonation, and chlorite typically formed from chlorine dioxide treatment.…”