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Explosive population growth and diminishing freshwater resources around the globehave now made reclaimed water use an established practice in many parts of the world. Varietiesof microbial pathogens are present in wastewater and can be detected in reclaimed water. Theobjective of this study was to evaluate changes in quality of reclaimed water as it passes throughthe reclaimed water distribution systems, from treatment plant to point of use, with particularreference to pathogen occurrence. The experimental approach includes evaluating treatedreclaimed water samples monthly for five months from three different treatment facilities.However, currently only one system is participating in the sampling campaign and the other twosystems are scheduled to participate in October 2004. The treatment facilities are located in threedifferent states and reuse water for toilet flushing and cooling towers in a large apartmentcomplex, shopping mall and a national stadium. The treatments include biological treatment,membrane filtration, ultraviolet light, ozone and chlorine disinfection. The samples wereanalyzed for the presence of total and fecal coliforms, E. coli, E.coli O157, Pseudomonas,Aeromonas, Legionella, HPC, somatic and male-specific coliphage, enteric virus (enterovirus,hepatitis A, norwalk virus, and rotavirus) nucleic acid by RT-PCR, Giardia cysts, infectiousCryptosporidium oocysts, and physiochemical water quality parameters. Water samples werepositive for low levels of total and fecal coliforms, E. coli, and Pseudomonas, suggesting thatregrowth may be occurring in the distribution system. Also one sample was positive for E. coliO157 indicating that additional disinfection may be necessary to ensure the safety of reuse water. Includes 10 references, tables.

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Edition: Vol. - No. Published: 11/15/2004 Number of Pages: 5File Size: 1 file , 270 KB