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Abstract
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Article Information:
Impact of Temperature on Bacterial Growth and Survival in Drinking-Water Pipes
Patrick Asamoah Sakyi and Roland Asare
Corresponding Author: Patrick Asamoah Sakyi
Submitted: June 08, 2012
Accepted: July 04, 2012
Published: August 20, 2012 |
Abstract:
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A study of a model drinking water distribution system, using previously used galvanized steel pipes, was
carried out to evaluate the impact of temperature on the growth and survival of total coliform, E. coli and
Heterotrophic Plate Count (HPC) bacteria for a maximum of 21 days residence time in the water phase in pipes and
their respective glass control bottles. The study showed that for water temperatures of 15, 25 and 37ºC, HPC
bacteria initially increased in the first 2-4 days but much higher at 37ºC after which the bacteria began to reduce in
numbers. On the other hand, the decline in coliform and E. coli levels was observed after 24 h and this continued
until no such bacteria were detected in the water phase. The oligotrophic nature of HPC bacteria allowed them to
initially survive and grow in the nutrient-deficient environment, while the copiotrophic coliform and E. coli, which
prefer nutritionally rich environments, began to die, hence the decline in their concentration. Whereas the decline in
bacteria levels at lower temperatures of 15-25ºC may be attributed to starvation and/or the temperature effect, those
at ~37ºC might have been significantly caused by the relatively higher temperature they were subjected to. The
results, thus, established that higher water temperature was seen as important factor in reducing the survival of total
coliform, E. coli and HPC bacteria in the water phase in drinking water pipes.
Key words: Biofilm, coliform, E. coli, fecal pollution, heterotrophic plate count bacteria, pathogens,
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Cite this Reference:
Patrick Asamoah Sakyi and Roland Asare, . Impact of Temperature on Bacterial Growth and Survival in Drinking-Water Pipes. Research Journal of Environmental and Earth Sciences, (08): 807-817.
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ISSN (Online): 2041-0492
ISSN (Print): 2041-0484 |
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