Impacts of Biodegradable Organic Matter and Pipe Materials on Bacterial Multiplication in Water Supply Systems

Abstract

The present study investigated the influence of biodegradable organic matter on the multiplication of suspended and attached bacteria in pipe systems, and compared the bacterial growth for different pipe materials: stainless steel, PVC, galvanized iron and copper with biodegradable organic matter. Higher turbidity in effluent was seen with an increase in the chlorine dose to control bacterial regrowth for the galvanized and copper pipes. High multiplication of the heterotrophic plate count (HPC) was observed for the stainless steel and PVC pipes with a dose of 3 mg/L glucose while the galvanized iron and copper pipes were not comparatively sensitive under the condition of a dose of 3 mg/L glucose. Under the condition of a dose of 3mg/L glucose only and measured by adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the highest biofilm formation potential was observed for the stainless steel pipe, followed by the PVC, copper and galvanized iron pipes in descending order. The highest alkalinity value and lowest turbidity were seen for the PVC pipe in selected pipes in effluent. SEM observation of the PVC pipe showed a rough surface with holes due to substances released from the pipe.