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Random packing material in disinfection contactors: Effects on final drinking water quality
Author(s) -
Baker Jessica L.,
De Long Susan K.,
Venayagamoorthy Subhas K.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
awwa water science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2577-8161
DOI - 10.1002/aws2.1187
Subject(s) - contactor , chlorine , inflow , biofilm , environmental science , rotating biological contactor , water quality , heterotroph , hydraulic retention time , environmental engineering , pulp and paper industry , chemistry , waste management , bacteria , biology , ecology , wastewater , engineering , power (physics) , physics , organic chemistry , quantum mechanics , mechanics , genetics
This study investigates the concern about biofilm growth on random packing material (RPM) used to enhance the hydraulic disinfection efficiency of a chlorine contactor. The inflow, outflow, and RPM were monitored for heterotrophic bacteria (via heterotrophic plate counts) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa as indicators of bacteriological water quality and the presence of biofilm. The results of this study show that there was no substantial biofilm growth in a lab‐scale chlorine contactor and no substantial increase in bacterial counts for the bulk outflow over a 10‐week period. Thus, the potential for excessive biofilm growth should not be considered a barrier concerning the use of RPM to improve the hydraulic disinfection efficiency of chlorine contactors in small drinking water treatment systems.