The control of biofilm formation by hydrodynamics of purified water in industrial distribution system

Systems for storage and distribution of purified water at ambient temperature are highly susceptible to microbial contamination. The water flow, microbial content and chemical quality of the purified water in an industrial water system have been simulated in a biofilm annular reactor (BAR) to study the impact of different hydrodynamic conditions on biofilm development. Our results reveal the potential of stagnant purified water at total organic compounds (TOC) below 50ppb to develop biofilm that allows detachment of planktonic bacteria and colonization of new surfaces within 24h. However, under constant water flow over 7 days, the growth of initial biofilm was 40 times less, fewer bacteria were detached, and new surfaces were colonized to a lesser extent. Heterotrophic plate counts (HPCs) in biofilm were highly positively correlated with numbers of detached planktonic bacteria in effluent water. The study shows that the hydrodynamic conditions and level of planktonic HPC in water are critical for the development of biofilm at very low TOC. The results in the BAR agreed well with those from regular industrial microbial monitoring of purified water. To conclude, the BAR successfully simulates biofilm growth and can be used to establish an effective biofilm control strategy. However, the microbial quality of purified water in industrial system is a constant challenge; any increase of HPC in effluent water is a sign to take steps against excessive microbial growth.