Search

Water distribution networks play a crucial role in delivering safe water to communities. However, their extensive reach and complex structure make them susceptible to contamination. The development of efficient contamination warning systems (CWSs) can enable the monitoring and control of abnormal events. In an efficient CWS, several key aspects must be addressed: identifying potential contaminations that can occur, determining the most effective water parameters to monitor, and defining where these parameters can be strategically monitored. In the present study, literature articles will be analyzed to explore different parameters for detecting anomalies, assess the information they provide, and highlight the benefits of combining various parameters. Moreover, attention will be given to the definition of sensor placement, emphasizing the lack of attention in the literature for defining sensors’ detection thresholds. Finally, the study underscores that ensuring human safety requires not only prompt intrusion detection but also the implementation of corrective and preventive actions capable of mitigating contaminant spread through WDNs. HIGHLIGHTS Creating contamination warning systems involves assessing intrusion impacts on water parameters.; Sensor placement studies must consider sensors’ capabilities to detect contaminants.; Ensuring public health demands prompt remedial actions upon contamination detection.;

Toxic cyanobacterial blooms are a worldwide concern. Nutrients are among the numerous factors that trigger cyanobacterial blooms and the production of cyanotoxins. This study aimed to assess the effect of nitrogen on cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins through a short-term mesocosm experiment. To achieve this, mesocosms were installed in situ in two lakes (the Missisquoi Bay of Lake Champlain and Petit-Lac-St-François) and received 700 μg/L of ammonium or 500 μg/L of nitrate. A shift to Microcystis in the mesocosms with nitrogen addition was observed 2 days after the addition in Missisquoi Bay, where nitrogen was more limited than Petit-Lac-St-François based on nutrient ratios. There was a significant increase of extracellular ΣMCs and MC-LR in mesocosms with the addition of ammonium or nitrate after 48 h compared to control mesocosms. Intracellular and extracellular microcystin concentrations were associated with Microcystis. Microcystis presence was associated with ammonium 48 h after N was added at both sites. Therefore, toxin production following sudden nitrogen addition can occur on short time scales relevant to drinking water treatment plant operations. This information will help treatment plant operators better anticipate the arrival of potentially higher concentrations of cyanotoxins.

Combined sewer overflows (CSOs) are a source of microbial contamination of drinking water intakes located downstream from their discharge. To safeguard the quality of the source water, it is essential to evaluate the risk levels associated with these municipal structures. This study compares two risk assessment approaches to test their applicability for assessing the risk of CSOs to drinking water intakes in a highly urbanized watershed. The first approach was based on a deterministic equation that combines the characteristics of an overflow structure allowing the risk to be rated as very low, low, medium, high, or very high. The second probabilistic risk assessment approach yielded findings that are probabilistically distributed across the five levels of risk. This approach was developed by constructing a novel Bayesian network to probabilistically link the different factors defining the exposure of water intakes to the hazards of CSOs. The comparison between the results of these two approaches highlighted the importance of simultaneously considering many scenarios for assessing the risk of contamination of source waters. It was possible to use the Bayesian network rather than the deterministic equation, which only supports one scenario at a time. It was also shown that the deterministic approach often overestimated risk levels for CSO outfalls close to the water intake. This occurred because the assessment process emphasized the distance factor between the discharge point and the water intake, while neglecting other crucial characteristics of the overflow, such as duration and frequency. In particular, the deterministic approach tended to underestimate risk for CSOs associated with low overflow frequencies as it did not support scenarios of overflow duration, unlike the probabilistic approach. The validation and sensitivity analysis of the Bayesian model revealed that the population residing in the CSO's drainage basin, along with the frequency and duration of the overflows, exerted the greatest influence on the resulting risk levels. These factors outweighed other variables utilized in the risk assessment, including vulnerability of the drinking water intake, the type of overflow recorder, pipe diameter, and variables defining the exposure of the water intake to the discharge. In the context of implementing action plans, the Bayesian network is estimated as a cost-effective technique as it prioritized overflow structures needing special attention in a highly urbanized watershed, where the same CSOs were deterministically rated as having the same risk level. The results also demonstrated the effectiveness of the Bayesian model in addressing data gaps faced by water managers and stakeholders. The Bayesian model proved capable of assessing risks with uncertainties for CSOs, even with limited input data available. These findings can assist managers in identifying problematic structures by considering various scenarios, unlike the deterministic approach, which left almost half (n = 42) of the study site's overflow structures unassessed due to data limitations.

Molecular typing techniques are utilized to determine genetic similarities between bacterial isolates. However, the use of environmental DNA profiling to assess epidemiologic links between patients and their environment has not been fully explored. This work reports the development and validation of two high-throughput short sequence typing (HiSST) schemes targeting the opportunistic pathogens Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, along with a modified SM2I selective medium for the specific isolation of S. maltophilia. These HiSST schemes are based on four discriminative loci for each species and demonstrate high discriminating power, comparable to pairwise whole-genome comparisons. Each scheme includes species-specific PCR primers for precise differentiation from closely related taxa, without the need for upstream culture-dependent methods. For example, the primers targeting the bvgS locus make it possible to distinguish P. aeruginosa from the very closely related Pseudomonas paraeruginosa sp. nov. The selected loci included in the schemes are adapted to massive parallel amplicon sequencing technology. An R-based script implemented in the DADA2 pipeline was assembled to facilitate HiSST analyses for efficient and accurate genotyping of P. aeruginosa and S. maltophilia. We demonstrate the performance of both schemes through in silico validations, assessments against reference culture collections, and a case study involving environmental samples.

COVID-19 shutdowns drastically increased the frequency and duration of water stagnation events in building plumbing systems, urging local authorities to issue guidance for the safe reopening of buildings mostly by recommissioning flushing. The objectives of this study were to document the dynamic changes of bacterial indicators [adenosine triphosphate (ATP), total and intact cell counts (TCC, ICC)] and the prevalence of Legionella pneumophila (Lp) in 20–21 showerheads in a large building before (16-week building closure) and then shortly (24 h) and monthly (4-week of distal water stagnation) after targeted recommissioning flushing. Following the 16-week shutdown, the highest mean of ATP (10 pg ATP/mL), TCC (1.7 × 106 count/mL) and ICC (5.2 × 105 count/mL) were measured in first draw samples. This bacterial amplification was mostly attributable to detachment from biofilm present in the distal devices and immediate connecting piping. Culture-based (mean of 4 487 MPN/L) and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR; mean of 63 822 gu/L) concentrations of Lp were respectively measured in 81 and 90% of first draw samples. Individual flushing of showerheads for 5 min resulted in 1.2–278-fold decreases in ATP, whereas TCC and ICC were lowered by 1.1- and 0.7-log on average. A one-log reduction in culture-based and qPCR Lp was only achieved in 63 and 29% of paired water samples, resulting in less than one-log reduction in mean risk values per exposure, thus demonstrating the limited effects of fixture-flushing for risk reduction. Clear short-term (24 h) benefits of device recommissioning flushing included lowered values of all bacterial indicators and Lp levels systematically under the common alert threshold of 1 000 MPN/L in first draws. However, after a period of 1 month without water use, these benefits were mostly lost with considerable rebounds of concentrations to similar levels than those measured following the 16-week building closure. Results highlight the temporary benefits of device recommissioning flushing for the control of Lp in shower systems, especially in buildings colonized by Legionella.

The fate of indicator bacteria and wastewater micropollutants (WWMPs) discharged from water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs) and combined sewer overflows (CSOs) needs to be understood for the protection of drinking water sources. This study investigated the partitioning behavior in wet and dry weather of Escherichia coli and 6 WWMPs including acetaminophen (ACET), caffeine (CAF), theophylline (THEO), carbamazepine (CBZ), 2-hydroxycarbamazepine (CBZ-2OH), and the artificial sweetener aspartame (ASP) between the water, suspended particulate matter (SPM), and sediments. ACET, CAF, THEO and CBZ were detected in all matrices. In contrast, CBZ-2OH and ASP were strongly associated with suspended particles, being exclusively detected in SPM and sediments. When comparing dry to wet weather concentrations, three main patterns were observed depending on the compounds and CSO locations: (i) compounds with low removal efficiency by wastewater treatment (CBZ, CBZ-2OH and ASP) are diluted with the addition of stormwater in the aqueous and SPM phases; (ii) contaminants with high removal efficiency (E. coli, ACET, CAF, THEO) saw an increase in their particle associated fraction (39 to 59% for E. coli, and from 12%–43% to 42%–91% for WWMPs); and (iii) no significant difference was observed for surficial sediment concentrations after rainfall events, although spatial variability was observed. Results highlight the importance of monitoring the SPM phase to overcome dilution effects in the dissolved phase. Analyzing SPM with regards to micropollutants and indicator bacteria may be more relevant for risk assessment and the assessment of the relative contribution of CSO bypass flows and treated wastewater effluents loads.

Shock chlorination and remedial flushing are suggested to address Legionella pneumophila (Lp) contamination in buildings or during their (re)commissioning. However, data on general microbial measurements (adenosine tri-phosphate [ATP], total cell counts [TCC]), and the abundance of Lp are lacking to support their temporary implementation with variable water demands. In this study, the weekly short-term (3-week) impact of shock chlorination (20–25 mg/L free chlorine, 16 h) or remedial flushing (5-min flush) combined with distinct flushing regimes (daily, weekly, stagnant) was investigated in duplicates of showerheads in two shower systems. Results showed that the combination of stagnation and shock chlorination prompted biomass regrowth, with ATP and TCC in the first draws reaching large regrowth factors of 4.31–7.07-fold and 3.51–5.68-fold, respectively, from baseline values. Contrastingly, remedial flushing followed by stagnation generally resulted in complete or larger regrowth in Lp culturability and gene copies (gc). Irrespective of the intervention, daily flushed showerheads resulted in significantly (p < 0.05) lower ATP and TCC, as well as lower Lp concentrations than weekly flushes, in general. Nonetheless, Lp persisted at concentrations ranging from 11 to 223 as the most probable number per liter (MPN/L) and in the same order of magnitude (103–104 gc/L) than baseline values after remedial flushing, despite daily/weekly flushing, unlike shock chlorination which suppressed Lp culturability (down 3-log) for two weeks and gene copies by 1-log. This study provides insights on the most optimal short-term combination of remedial and preventative strategies that can be considered pending the implementation of suitable engineering controls or building-wide treatment.

Limited information is available regarding the seasonal and spatial distribution of endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) in Canadian surface waters. Using improved analytical methods, we set out to evaluate the occurrence and risks of 15 EPA-priority EDCs in the St. Lawrence River and its main tributaries (69 locations). Surface water samples were also collected during a complete seasonal cycle along the Mille Iles River (17 locations), a tributary impacted by wastewater effluents and sewer overflows. In total, 137 surface water samples were analyzed for steroid hormones (altrenogest, androstenedione, equilin, equilenin, ethinylestradiol, α-estradiol, β-estradiol, estriol, estrone, levonorgestrel, medroxyprogesterone, norethindrone, progesterone, testosterone) and bisphenol A, in both the dissolved phase and suspended particulate matter (SPM). Of the 15 targeted EDCs, 14 compounds presented positive detections in the dissolved phase and 13 in the SPM. Summed EDC concentrations were reported in the range of 0.4–73 ng L−1 in dissolved phase samples and 0.1–228 ng g−1 in SPM samples. Bisphenol A was rarely detected in the dissolved phase but accumulated at high levels in suspended solids. Summed concentrations of hormones were generally higher during the spring and winter seasons, and lower during the summer. Estradiol (β-E2) presented the most frequent exceedances to the predicted no-effect concentration threshold (28/137 samples above the PNEC, or 20%), while a few exceedances were also reported for ethinylestradiol (4/137 above the PNEC, or 3%). The total estrogenic activity (EEQtotal) was higher than the threshold of 1 ng E2 L−1 for 26/137 samples, with estriol (E3) and β-E2 the preponderant contributors.

Background: Ice is used in healthcare facilities for medical purposes and consumption by the medical staff and the patients, but some studies have revealed significant microbial contamination of ice machines leading to nosocomial outbreaks or pseudooutbreaks and infections by opportunistic pathogens, including the fungi Candida, the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM). Although ice machines are complex devices that are prone to contamination, very little is known about their potential as vectors of infections for populations at risk in hospitals. Only few studies document efficient maintenance regimes, specifically cleaning procedures and microbial indicators that would ensure their safe use. Method: In this prospective study, combined samples of water and ice, and drain biofilm samples were collected from 36 ice and cold-water distribution machines of a recently built hospital, for a total of 72 samples. Physicochemical parameters (total and free chlorine, temperature, etc) were measured in water, and several opportunistic pathogens (ie, Candida spp, P. aeruginosa, NTM) and biological indicators (ie, heterotrophic plate counts (HPCs), total and viable bacteria and enterococci) were monitored in water and ice and biofilm. Culture methods were used for HPCs, Candida spp, P. aeruginosa, and enterococci, and total and viable bacterial populations were estimated using flow cytometry. NTM were monitored by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Results: We observed clear differences between the machines in terms of biological contamination, with frequent detection of NTM and presumed Candida. Thus, NTM were detected in the 36 samples of ice and water with concentrations from 0.5 to 2×104 gene copies/mL. Among the several species of fungi detected in the ice machines, some were identified as C. parapsilosis and C. guilliermondii, which are organisms of concern in healthcare facilities. Factors affecting the level of contamination in ice machines include the location of the machines and water quality (ie, temperature and chlorine residual concentration). Depending on the location in the building and the model of ice machine sampled, the biological indicators measurements indicated more or less significant contamination. No link was established between environmental strains recovered from the machines and clinical infections. Conclusions: Monitoring results showed that ice machines, while subject to few regulations and controls, can be reservoirs of unsuspected opportunistic pathogens that could lead to nosocomial infections of vulnerable patients. Cleaning procedures should be based on the disinfection of resistant opportunistic pathogens, such as Candida and NTM, and the use of general indicators, such as HPCs, should be questioned.

Abstract Background Cooling towers are a major source of large community-associated outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease, a severe pneumonia. This disease is contracted when inhaling aerosols that are contaminated with bacteria from the genus Legionella, most importantly Legionella pneumophila. How cooling towers support the growth of this bacterium is still not well understood. As Legionella species are intracellular parasites of protozoa, it is assumed that protozoan community in cooling towers play an important role in Legionella ecology and outbreaks. However, the exact mechanism of how the eukaryotic community contributes to Legionella ecology is still unclear. Therefore, we used 18S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing to characterize the eukaryotic communities of 18 different cooling towers. The data from the eukaryotic community was then analysed with the bacterial community of the same towers in order to understand how each community could affect Legionella spp. ecology in cooling towers. Results We identified several microbial groups in the cooling tower ecosystem associated with Legionella spp. that suggest the presence of a microbial loop in these systems. Dissolved organic carbon was shown to be a major factor in shaping the eukaryotic community and may be an important factor for Legionella ecology. Network analysis, based on co-occurrence, revealed that Legionella was correlated with a number of different organisms. Out of these, the bacterial genus Brevundimonas and the ciliate class Oligohymenophorea were shown, through in vitro experiments, to stimulate the growth of L. pneumophila through direct and indirect mechanisms. Conclusion Our results suggest that Legionella ecology depends on the host community, including ciliates and on several groups of organisms that contribute to its survival and growth in the cooling tower ecosystem. These findings further support the idea that some cooling tower microbiomes may promote the survival and growth of Legionella better than others. Video Abstract

Pre-oxidation can be used against cyanobacteria at the water treatment plant intake to improve cell removal efficiency in down flow processes and reduce cyanotoxins concentrations. In this study, shotgun metagenomic sequencing was used to describe the functional capacity of a cyanobacterial bloom (at Lake Champlain, southern Quebec, Canada) before and after pre-oxidation using Cl2, KMnO4 and H2O2. The bloom samples were associated with two functional profile assemblages: that of August 1st (onset of the bloom) characterized by enrichment of genes related to nutrient uptake and that of August 13th-29th (towards the end of the sampling) associated with competition for resources and repair such as Photosynthesis, Protein metabolism and DNA metabolism. Different functional profile responses to oxidation with Cl2, KMnO4 and H2O2 was also identified as two-time points during the bloom (at the August 1st, and August 29th). On August 1st, chlorinated samples showed a progressive shift in functional profile: starting by acquiring and sequestering nutrient sources (e.g. Iron acquisition, carbohydrates) at low chlorine exposure (CT, concentration X contact time) level, followed by showing a stronger tendency toward dormancy and sporulation genes at high CT. Our results showed that following high CT of H2O2, the relative abundance of the cyanobacterial biomarkers decreased, regardless of the dominant cyanobacterial genus. The toxicity of the bloom before and after oxidation samples was assessed by droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) to measure the mcyD gene. Our results showed significant positive correlation between the mcyD gene copies number and microcystin concentrations in the bloom samples (before the oxidation). However, such correlation was not observed after oxidation. These results suggest that ddPCR can only be used to evaluate bloom toxicity before oxidation.

The excessive proliferation of cyanobacteria in surface waters is a widespread problem worldwide, leading to the contamination of drinking water sources. Short- and long-term solutions for managing cyanobacterial blooms are needed for drinking water supplies. The goal of this research was to investigate the cyanobacteria community composition using shotgun metagenomics in a short term, in situ mesocosm experiment of two lakes following their coagulation with ferric sulfate (Fe2(SO4)3) as an option for source water treatment. Among the nutrient paramenters, dissolved nitrogen was related to Microcystis in both Missisquoi Bay and Petit Lac St. François, while the presence of Synechococcus was related to total nitrogen, dissolved nitrogen, dissolved organic carbon, and dissolved phosphorus. Results from the shotgun metagenomic sequencing showed that Dolichospermum and Microcystis were the dominant genera in all of the mesocosms in the beginning of the sampling period in Missisquoi Bay and Petit Lac St. François, respectively. Potentially toxigenic genera such as Microcystis were correlated with intracellular microcystin concentrations. A principal component analysis showed that there was a change of the cyanobacterial composition at the genus level in the mesocosms after two days, which varied across the studied sites and sampling time. The cyanobacterial community richness and diversity did not change significantly after its coagulation by Fe2(SO4)3 in all of the mesocosms at either site. The use of Fe2(SO4)3 for an onsite source water treatment should consider its impact on cyanobacterial community structure and the reduction of toxin concentrations.

Health-related concerns about cyanobacteria-laden sludge of drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs) have been raised in the past few years. Microscopic taxonomy, shotgun metagenomic sequencing, and microcystin (MC) measurement were applied to study the fate of cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins after controlled sludge storage (stagnation) in the dark in a full-scale drinking water treatment plant within 7 to 38 days. For four out of eight dates, cyanobacterial cell growth was observed by total taxonomic cell counts during sludge stagnation. The highest observed cell growth was 96% after 16 days of stagnation. Cell growth was dominated by potential MC producers such as Microcystis, Aphanocapsa, Chroococcus, and Dolichospermum. Shotgun metagenomic sequencing unveiled that stagnation stress shifts the cyanobacterial communities from the stress-sensitive Nostocales (e.g., Dolichospermum) order towards less compromised orders and potential MC producers such as Chroococcales (e.g., Microcystis) and Synechococcales (e.g., Synechococcus). The relative increase of cyanotoxin producers presents a health challenge when the supernatant of the stored sludge is recycled to the head of the DWTP or discharged into the source. These findings emphasize the importance of a strategy to manage cyanobacteria-laden sludge and suggest practical approaches should be adopted to control health/environmental impacts of cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins in sludge.

This study investigates short-term fluctuations in virus concentrations in source water and their removal by full-scale drinking water treatment processes under different source water conditions. Transient peaks in raw water faecal contamination were identified using in situ online β-d-glucuronidase activity monitoring at two urban drinking water treatment plants. During these peaks, sequential grab samples were collected at the source and throughout the treatment train to evaluate concentrations of rotavirus, adenovirus, norovirus, enterovirus, JC virus, reovirus, astrovirus and sapovirus by reverse transcription and real-time quantitative PCR. Virus infectivity was assessed through viral culture by measurement of cytopathic effect and integrated cell culture qPCR. Virus concentrations increased by approximately 0.5-log during two snowmelt/rainfall episodes and approximately 1.0-log following a planned wastewater discharge upstream of the drinking water intake and during a β-d-glucuronidase activity peak in dry weather conditions. Increases in the removal of adenovirus and rotavirus by coagulation/flocculation processes were observed during peak virus concentrations in source water, suggesting that these processes do not operate under steady-state conditions but dynamic conditions in response to source water conditions. Rotavirus and enterovirus detected in raw and treated water samples were predominantly negative in viral culture. At one site, infectious adenoviruses were detected in raw water and water treated by a combination of ballasted clarification, ozonation, GAC filtration, and UV disinfection operated at a dose of 40 mJ cm−2. The proposed sampling strategy can inform the understanding of the dynamics associated with virus concentrations at drinking water treatment plants susceptible to de facto wastewater reuse.

Freshwater bodies and, consequently, drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs) sources are increasingly facing toxic cyanobacterial blooms. Even though conventional treatment processes including coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, and filtration can control cyanobacteria and cell-bound cyanotoxins, these processes may encounter challenges such as inefficient removal of dissolved metabolites and cyanobacterial cell breakthrough. Furthermore, conventional treatment processes may lead to the accumulation of cyanobacteria cells and cyanotoxins in sludge. Pre-oxidation can enhance coagulation efficiency as it provides the first barrier against cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins and it decreases cell accumulation in DWTP sludge. This critical review aims to: (i) evaluate the state of the science of cyanobacteria and cyanotoxin management throughout DWTPs, as well as their associated sludge, and (ii) develop a decision framework to manage cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins in DWTPs and sludge. The review identified that lab-cultured-based pre-oxidation studies may not represent the real bloom pre-oxidation efficacy. Moreover, the application of a common exposure unit CT (residual concentration × contact time) provides a proper understanding of cyanobacteria pre-oxidation efficiency. Recently, reported challenges on cyanobacterial survival and growth in sludge alongside the cell lysis and cyanotoxin release raised health and technical concerns with regards to sludge storage and sludge supernatant recycling to the head of DWTPs. According to the review, oxidation has not been identified as a feasible option to handle cyanobacterial-laden sludge due to low cell and cyanotoxin removal efficacy. Based on the reviewed literature, a decision framework is proposed to manage cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins and their associated sludge in DWTPs.

Intermittent reduction of temperature set-points and periodic shutdowns of water heaters have been proposed to reduce energy consumption in buildings. However, the consequences of such measures on the occurrence and proliferation of Legionella pneumophila (Lp) in hot water systems have not been documented. The impact of single and repeated heat shocks was investigated using an environmental strain of L. pneumophila and a reference strain of V. vermiformis. Heat shocks at temperatures ranging from 50 °C to 70 °C were applied for 1 h and 4 h in water and water heaters loose deposits (sludge). The regrowth potential of heat-treated culturable L. pneumophila in presence of V. vermiformis in water heaters sludges was evaluated. A 2.5-log loss of culturability of L. pneumophila was observed in simulated drinking water at 60 °C while a 4-log reduction was reached in water heaters loose deposits. Persistence of Lp after 4 h at 55 °C was shown and the presence of V. vermiformis in water heater’s loose deposits resulted in a drastic amplification (5-log). Results show that thermal inactivation by heat shock is only efficient at elevated temperatures (50 °C) in both water and loose deposits. The few remaining organisms can rapidly proliferate during storage at lower temperature in the presence of hosts.

Cyanobacterial blooms are a global concern. Chemical coagulants are used in water treatment to remove contaminants from the water column and could potentially be used in lakes and reservoirs. The aims of this study was to: 1) assess the efficiency of ferric sulfate (Fe2(SO4)3) coagulant in removing harmful cyanobacterial cells from lake water with cyanobacterial blooms on a short time scale, 2) determine whether some species of cyanobacteria can be selectively removed, and 3) determine the differential impact of coagulants on intra- and extra-cellular toxins. Our main results are: (i) more than 96% and 51% of total cyanobacterial cells were removed in mesocosms with applied doses of 35 mgFe/L and 20 mgFe/L, respectively. Significant differences in removing total cyanobacterial cells and several dominant cyanobacteria species were observed between the two applied doses; (ii) twelve microcystins, anatotoxin-a (ANA-a), cylindrospermopsin (CYN), anabaenopeptin A (APA) and anabaenopeptin B (APB) were identified. Ferric sulfate effectively removed the total intracellular microcystins (greater than 97% for both applied doses). Significant removal of extracellular toxins was not observed after coagulation with both doses. Indeed, the occasional increase in extracellular toxin concentration may be related to cells lysis during the coagulation process. No significant differential impact of dosages on intra- and extra-cellular toxin removal was observed which could be relevant to source water applications where optimal dosing is difficult to achieve.

This database presents the optimization of ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) for the analysis of EPA-priority endocrine disruptor compounds (13 hormones and bisphenol A). Various method parameters were tested and compared for improved sensitivity. Data related to the selection of the ionization source (heated-ESI vs. APCI) are presented, including optimization results of source parameters. Compound-dependent responses when varying the UHPLC mobile phase salt concentration of ammonium fluoride (NH4F) are supplied. Details on the chromatographic gradient program and chromatographic data demonstrating the separation of α-estradiol and β-estradiol are provided. In addition, we supply the details on mass spectrometry parameters under the optimized conditions, relative responses of quantification and confirmation MS/MS transitions (QT/CT), and number of points present in UHPLC-MS/MS spectra. The sample preparation and instrumental analysis procedures under the retained conditions are also described. The herein dataset supports the research “Analysis of Environmental Protection Agency priority endocrine disruptor hormones and bisphenol A in tap, surface and wastewater by online concentration liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry” Goeury et al., 2019.

Abstract Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic bacterial pathogen that is widely occurring in the environment and is recognized for its capacity to form or join biofilms. The present review consolidates current knowledge on P. aeruginosa ecology and its implication in healthcare facilities premise plumbing. The adaptability of P. aeruginosa and its capacity to integrate the biofilm from the faucet and the drain highlight the role premise plumbing devices can play in promoting growth and persistence. A meta‐analysis of P. aeruginosa prevalence in faucets (manual and electronic) and drains reveals the large variation in device positivity reported and suggest the high variability in the sampling approach and context as the main reason for this variation. The effects of the operating conditions that prevail within water distribution systems (disinfection, temperature, and hydraulic regime) on the persistence of P. aeruginosa are summarized. As a result from the review, recommendations for proactive control measures of water contamination by P. aeruginosa are presented. A better understanding of the ecology of P. aeruginosa and key influencing factors in premise plumbing are essential to identify culprit areas and implement effective control measures.

Conventional processes (coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, and filtration) are widely used in drinking water treatment plants and are considered a good treatment strategy to eliminate cyanobacterial cells and cell-bound cyanotoxins. The diversity of cyanobacteria was investigated using taxonomic cell counts and shotgun metagenomics over two seasons in a drinking water treatment plant before, during, and after the bloom. Changes in the community structure over time at the phylum, genus, and species levels were monitored in samples retrieved from raw water (RW), sludge in the holding tank (ST), and sludge supernatant (SST). Aphanothece clathrata brevis, Microcystis aeruginosa, Dolichospermum spiroides, and Chroococcus minimus were predominant species detected in RW by taxonomic cell counts. Shotgun metagenomics revealed that Proteobacteria was the predominant phylum in RW before and after the cyanobacterial bloom. Taxonomic cell counts and shotgun metagenomic showed that the Dolichospermum bloom occurred inside the plant. Cyanobacteria and Bacteroidetes were the major bacterial phyla during the bloom. Shotgun metagenomics also showed that Synechococcus, Microcystis, and Dolichospermum were the predominant detected cyanobacterial genera in the samples. Conventional treatment removed more than 92% of cyanobacterial cells but led to cell accumulation in the sludge up to 31 times more than in the RW influx. Coagulation/sedimentation selectively removed more than 96% of Microcystis and Dolichospermum. Cyanobacterial community in the sludge varied from raw water to sludge during sludge storage (1–13 days). This variation was due to the selective removal of coagulation/sedimentation as well as the accumulation of captured cells over the period of storage time. However, the prediction of the cyanobacterial community composition in the SST remained a challenge. Among nutrient parameters, orthophosphate availability was related to community profile in RW samples, whereas communities in ST were influenced by total nitrogen, Kjeldahl nitrogen (N- Kjeldahl), total and particulate phosphorous, and total organic carbon (TOC). No trend was observed on the impact of nutrients on SST communities. This study profiled new health-related, environmental, and technical challenges for the production of drinking water due to the complex fate of cyanobacteria in cyanobacteria-laden sludge and supernatant.

Microbial drinking water quality can be altered in large buildings, especially after stagnation. In this study, bacterial profiles were generated according to the stagnation time and the volume of water collected at the tap. Successive volumes of cold and hot water were sampled after controlled stagnation periods. Bacterial profiles revealed an important decline (> 2 log) in culturable cells in the first 500 mL sampled from the hot and cold water systems, with a steep decline in the first 15 mL. The strong exponential correlation (R2 ≥ 0.97) between the culturable cell counts in water and the pipe surface-to-volume ratio suggests the biofilm as the main contributor to the rapid increase in suspended culturable cells measured after a short stagnation of one-hour. Results evidence the contribution of the high surface-to-volume ratio at the point of use and the impact of short stagnation times on the increased bacterial load observed. Simple faucets with minimal internal surface area should be preferred to minimize surface area. Sampling protocol, including sampling volume and prior stagnation, was also shown to impact the resulting culturable cell concentration by more than 1000-fold. Sampling a smaller volume on first draw after stagnation will help maximize recovery of bacteria.

Drinking water treatment plants throughout the world are increasingly facing the presence of toxic cyanobacteria in their source waters. During treatment, the oxidation of cyanobacteria changes cell morphology and can potentially lyse cells, releasing intracellular metabolites. In this study, a combination of techniques was applied to better understand the effect of oxidation with chlorine, ozone, potassium permanganate, and hydrogen peroxide on two cell cultures (Microcystis, Dolichospermum) in Lake Champlain water. The discrepancy observed between flow cytometry cell viability and cell count numbers was more pronounced for hydrogen peroxide and potassium permanganate than ozone and chlorine. Liquid chromatography with organic carbon and nitrogen detection was applied to monitor the changes in dissolved organic matter fractions following oxidation. Increases in the biopolymer fraction after oxidation with chlorine and ozone were attributed to the release of intracellular algal organic matter and/or fragmentation of the cell membrane. A novel technique, Enhanced Darkfield Microscopy with Hyperspectral Imaging, was applied to chlorinated and ozonated samples. Significant changes in the peak maxima and number of peaks were observed for the cell walls post-oxidation, but this effect was muted for the cell-bound material, which remained relatively unaltered.

The faecal indicator Escherichia coli plays a central role in water quality assessment and monitoring. It is therefore essential to understand its fate under various environmental constraints such as predation by bacterivorous zooplankton. Whereas most studies have examined how protozooplankton communities (heterotrophic nanoflagellates and ciliates) affect the fate of E. coli in water, the capacity of metazooplankton to control the faecal indicator remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigated how the common filter-feeding cladoceran, Daphnia pulex, affects the fate of E. coli under different experimental conditions. Daphnia ingested E. coli and increased its loss rates in water, but the latter rates decreased from 1.65 d-1 to 0.62 d-1 after a 1,000-fold reduction in E. coli initial concentrations, due to lower probability of encounter between Daphnia and E. coli. The combined use of culture and PMA qPCR (viability-qPCR) demonstrated that exposure to Daphnia did not result into the formation of viable but non-culturable E. coli cells. In lake water, a significant part of E. coli population loss was associated with matrix-related factors, most likely due to predation by other bacterivorous biota and/or bacterial competition. However, when exposing E. coli to a D. pulex gradient (from 0 to 65 ind.L-1), we observed an increasing impact of Daphnia on E. coli loss rates, which reached 0.47 d-1 in presence of 65 ind.L-1. Our results suggest that the filter-feeder can exert a non-negligible predation pressure on E. coli, especially during seasonal Daphnia population peaks. Similar trials using other Daphnia species as well as stressed E. coli cells will increase our knowledge on the capacity of this widespread zooplankter to control E. coli in freshwater resources. Based on our results, we strongly advocate the use of natural matrices to study these biotic interactions in order to avoid overestimation of Daphnia impact.

Identifying environmental sources of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) related to hospital-acquired infections represents a key challenge for public health. Biofilms in water systems offer protection and favorable growth conditions, and are prime reservoirs of microorganisms. A comparative genotyping survey assessing the relationship between Pa strains recovered in hospital sink biofilm and isolated in clinical specimens was conducted. Environmental strains from drain, faucet and sink-surface biofilm were recovered by a culture method after an incubation time ranging from 48 to 240 h. The genotyping of 38 environmental and 32 clinical isolates was performed using a multiple-locus variable-number of tandem repeats analysis (MLVA). More than one-third of Pa isolates were only cultivable following ≥48 h of incubation, and were predominantly from faucet and sink-surface biofilms. In total, 41/70 strains were grouped within eight genotypes (A to H). Genotype B grouped a clinical and an environmental strain isolated in the same ward, 5 months apart, suggesting this genotype could thrive in both contexts. Genotype E grouped environmental isolates that were highly prevalent throughout the hospital and that required a longer incubation time. The results from the multi-hospital follow-up study support the drain as an important reservoir of Pa dissemination to faucets, sink surfaces and patients. Optimizing the recovery of environmental strains will strengthen epidemiological investigations, facilitate pathway identification, and assist in identifying and controlling the reservoirs potentially associated to hospital-acquired infections.

Following nosocomial cases of Legionella pneumophila, the investigation of a hot water system revealed that 81.5% of sampled taps were positive for L. pneumophila, despite the presence of protective levels of copper in the water. A significant reduction of L. pneumophila counts was observed by culture after heat shock disinfection. The following corrective measures were implemented to control L. pneumophila: increasing the hot water temperature (55 to 60 °C), flushing taps weekly with hot water, removing excess lengths of piping and maintaining a water temperature of 55 °C throughout the system. A gradual reduction in L. pneumophila counts was observed using the culture method and qPCR in the 18 months after implementation of the corrective measures. However, low level contamination was retained in areas with hydraulic deficiencies, highlighting the importance of maintaining a good thermal regime at all points within the system to control the population of L. pneumophila.