Impact of phosphate dosing on the microbial ecology of drinking water distribution systems: Fieldwork studies in chlorinated networks

Effect of experimentally increased nutrient availability on the structure, metabolic activities, and potential microbial functions of a maritime Antarctic microbial mat

“…They can be then considered as phosphate-solubilising bacteria, which represent a metabolic advantage when P solubilisation is hindered. Accordingly, differential development of Massilia has been observed in routine dosage of P in drinking water to avoid corrosion (Douterelo et al, 2020). Thus, the P fertilisation conducted in the experiment should make it, at first, available to the entire community.…”

Identifying water blending areas and associated iron release risk by analyzing sulfate and strontium concentration difference in a metropolitan drinking water distribution system

“…37 Sulfate may also affect iron release by affecting microbial activities. 38,39 However, the prediction of iron release risk relying on the Larson index alone may not be reliable, 3,40 especially when the water quality becomes complex due to water blending. For example, during water source switching, not only the Larson index, but also other water quality indicators may change.…”

Exploring the Impacts of Full-Scale Distribution System Orthophosphate Corrosion Control Implementation on the Microbial Ecology of Hydrologically Connected Urban Streams

“…Although there has been much success in corrosion inhibition using phosphate-based corrosion inhibitors across the United States, the city of Pittsburgh had been using soda ash as its main form of corrosion control until a year-long study found that orthophosphate was more effective at reducing lead corrosion. The introduction and continual application of up to 1.8 mg/L of PO 4 3– into Pittsburgh’s drinking water distribution system (DS), which previously had nondetectable PO 4 3– , will likely provide key nutrients for biota, resulting in increased microbial regrowth in the DS ( 13 – 18 ). Moreover, decaying water infrastructure could also cause changes in the microbial community composition of both the DS and nearby urban streams with further impacts to groundwater and riverine receiving waters ( 19 – 22 ).…”

“…Given the strong nutrient limitations for organisms in water systems, increased abundance of Cyanobacteria and other eutrophication-related taxa could be a likely observation due to an increase in biologically available phosphate to be used for growth and cell maintenance ( 23 , 24 ) in the urban stream waters. In addition, recent metagenomics studies in the UK drinking water DS found an increase in microorganisms related to enhanced phosphate metabolism (e.g., polyphosphate accumulating taxa such as “ Candidatus Accumulibacter”) ( 13 , 17 , 25 ) after increased phosphate addition. With the aging drinking water infrastructure across the nation that contributes millions of gallons per day in lost treated drinking water (through unmetered buildings and pipe breaks) ( 26 ), it is important to consider the impacts of such additions on urban stream microbiomes and nutrient limitations.…”