Abstract: Monitoring the changes that occur to water during distribution is vital to ensure water safety. The biological stability of reverse osmosis (RO) produced drinking water, characterized by low bacterial cell concentration and low assimilable organic carbon, in combination with chlorine disinfection is underexplored. Monitoring microbial quality and ensuring membrane-treated water safety has taken advantage of the rapid development of DNA-based techniques. This study addresses the use of DNA-based methods for low biomass samples typical in chlorinated DWDSs. The bacterial community analysis using 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequencing was performed and both water and biofilm samples (before/after chlorination) were compared. Results from this study highlight the importance of implementing multiple barriers to ensure water safety. Changes in water quality detected even when high-quality disinfected RO-produced water is distributed highlight microbiological challenges that chlorinated systems endure, especially at high water temperatures.

Bio: I come from a civil and environmental engineering background, where I apply an interdisciplinary approach combining microbiology and engineering to investigate water treatment and distribution-related problems. I am a Research Scientist at the Water Desalination and Reuse Center, where I am instigating and coordinating research focused on drinking water production and distribution: seawater desalination, biofouling control strategies, and innovative microbial monitoring of distribution networks.