© 2008 Awwa Research Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

MICROBIAL MYTHSMICROBIAL MYTHS

Martin J. Allen, Ph.D

© 2008 Awwa Research Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this presentation may be copied, reproduced or otherwise utilized without permission.

© 2008 Awwa Research Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Presentation OutlinePresentation Outline

MMicrobial Mythsicrobial Myths

IIndicator Conceptndicator Concept

RRecommendations for Public ecommendations for Public Health ProtectionHealth Protection

© 2008 Awwa Research Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

© 2008 Awwa Research Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Early Microbiologists - looking for pathogens.

© 2008 Awwa Research Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Modern microbiologists - looking for pathogens

© 2008 Awwa Research Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Purposes of Water TreatmentPurposes of Water Treatment

RRemove or inactivate all human pathogens. i.e. emove or inactivate all human pathogens. i.e. protozoa, bacteria, viruses –protozoa, bacteria, viruses – not not to produce sterile to produce sterile waterwater

RRemove suspended particles, reduce organics that emove suspended particles, reduce organics that can from DBPs, reduce taste & odor, reduce color, can from DBPs, reduce taste & odor, reduce color, etc.etc.

PProvide safe esthetically-pleasing drinking waterrovide safe esthetically-pleasing drinking water

© 2008 Awwa Research Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

© 2008 Awwa Research Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

CommonCommon Indicators for Source Indicators for Source Water and Drinking WaterWater and Drinking Water

TTotal Coliformsotal Coliforms

FFecal Coliforms ecal Coliforms

EEscherichia colischerichia coli

© 2008 Awwa Research Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

COLIFORM GENERACOLIFORM GENERA Escherichia - Escherichia - human and animalhuman and animal

feces feces Enterobacter - Enterobacter - environment, environment,

fecesfeces Klebsiella - environment, fecesKlebsiella - environment, feces Citrobacter - eCitrobacter - environmentnvironment Serratia - Serratia - environmentenvironment

© 2008 Awwa Research Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Escherichia coli sp.

Always “hangs around” with pathogens

© 2008 Awwa Research Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Bacteria in water main tubercles-New Haven, CT; M. Allen, 1977

Bacterial Numbers Have No Public Health Significance in Drinking Water

© 2008 Awwa Research Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

That’s All That’s All Folks!Folks!