Drinking Water Microbiology

The microbiology of drinking water remains an important worldwide concern despite modem progress in science and engineering. Countries that are more technologically advanced have experienced a significant reduction in water borne morbidity within the last 100 years: This reduction has been achieved through the application of effective technologies for the treatment, disinfec tion, and distribution of potable water. However, morbidity resulting from the ingestion of contaminated water persists globally, and the available ep idemiological evidence (Waterborne Diseases in the United States, G. F. Craun, ed. , 1986, CRC Press) demonstrates a dramatic increase in the number of waterborne outbreaks and individual cases within the United States since the mid-1960s. In addition, it should also be noted that the incidence of water borne outbreaks of unknown etiology and those caused by "new" pathogens, such as Campylobaeter sp. , is also increasing in the United States. Although it might be debated whether these increases are real or an artifact resulting from more efficient reporting, it is clear that waterborne morbidity cannot be ignored in the industrialized world. More significantly, it represents one of the most important causes of illness within developing countries. Approxi mately one-half the world's population experiences diseases that are the direct consequence of drinking polluted water. Such illnesses are the primary cause of infant mortality in many Third World countries.

Microbiology of Drinking Water Production andDistribution addresses the public health aspects of drinkingwater treatment and distribution. It explains the different watertreatment processes, such as pretreatment, coagulation,flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, disinfection, and theirimpacts on waterborne microbial pathogens and parasites. Drinking water quality may be degraded in water distributionsystems—microorganisms form biofilms within distributionsystems that allow them to flourish. Various methodologies havebeen proposed to assess the bacterial growth potential in waterdistribution systems. Microbiology of Drinking Water Production and Distributionalso places drinking water quality and public health issues incontext; it addresses the effect of bioterrorism on drinking watersafety, particularly safeguards that are in place to protectconsumers against the microbial agents involved. In addition, thetext delves into research on drinking water quality in developingcountries and the low-cost treatment technologies that could savelives. The text also examines the microbiological water quality ofbottled water, often misunderstood by the public at large.

The book addresses the interdisciplinary area of water quality monitoring and binds together interests and competences within sensing technology, system behaviour, business needs, legislation, education, data handling, and artificial response algorithms.

This text prepared by an international group of experts addresses the 'heterotrophic plate count' test which is widely used in drinking-water assessment: what it detects (and what it does not detect) its direct and indirect health significance and its use in the safety management of drinking water supplies. It includes the consensus statement from an expert review meeting and takes account of the presentations and posters at an international conference on the theme co-sponsored by WHO and NSF-International. It provides valuable information on the utility and the limitations of HPC data in the management and operation of piped water systems as well as other means of providing drinking water to the public. It is of particular value to piped public water suppliers and bottled water suppliers manufacturers and users of water treatment and transmission equipment and inline treatment devices water engineers sanitary and clinical microbiologists and national and local public health officials and regulators of drinking water quality. ...The book will be of great value to the piped public water suppliers bottled water suppliers manufacturers users of water treatment and transmission equipment and online treatment device makers water supply engineers sanitary engineers clinical and water microbiologists national and local public health officials and regulators of drinking-water quality. - Indian Journal of Medical Research

"Access to safe water is a fundamental human need and therefore a basic human right" --Kofi Annan, United Nations Secretary General Edited by two world-renowned scientists in the field, The Handbook of Water and Wastewater Microbiology provides a definitive and comprehensive coverage of water and wastewater microbiology. With contributions from experts from around the world, this book gives a global perspective on the important issues faced in the provision of safe drinking water, the problems of dealing with aquatic pollution and the processes involved in wastewater management. Starting with an introductory chapter of basic microbiological principles, The Handbook of Water and Wastewater Microbiology develops these principles further, ensuring that this is the essential text for process engineers with little microbiological experience and specialist microbiologists alike. Comprehensive selection of reviews dealing with drinking water and aquatic pollution Provides an understading of basic microbiology and how it is applied to engineering process solutions Suitable for all levels of knowledge in microbiology -from those with no background to specialists who require the depth of information

The development of biofilms and their role in public health - particularly drinking water - is often overlooked. Ideal for anyone interested in water related issues, Microbiological Aspects of Biofilms and Drinking Water presents an overview of the public health effects associated with drinking water. It highlights the microbiological aspects relating to the development of biofilms. The first four chapters focus on the state of the water supply. The authors review methods for studying the epidemiological spread of waterborne infections and those used in surveillance and control of pathogenic microbes. He includes the methods used for the detection of pathogens of public health importance in drinking water. In the subsequent chapters the authors pay close attention to biofilm development within drinking water systems, underlining the public health threat. They cover the microbes important to public health and include the methods used to detect biofilms. In conclusion they review the methods involved in biofilm control - both conventional and biocidal treatments. Overall, Microbiological Aspects of Biofilms and Drinking Water provides a snapshot of public health and the water supply. It covers the future of drinking water and its associated health hazards and provides a deeper understanding of biofilms and how they provide a safe haven for pathogens and water related diseases.