Metal Accumulation in Representative Plastic Drinking Water Plumbing Systems

Opportunistic Premise Plumbing Pathogens: Increasingly Important Pathogens in Drinking Water

Opportunistic premise plumbing pathogens are responsible for a significant number of infections whose origin has been traced to drinking water. These opportunistic pathogens represent an emerging water borne disease problem with a major economic cost of at least $1 billion annually. The common features of this group of waterborne pathogens include: disinfectant-resistance, pipe surface adherenc...

Effects of metals on Legionella pneumophila growth in drinking water plumbing systems.

An investigation of the chemical environment and growth of Legionella pneumophila in plumbing systems was conducted to gain a better understanding of its ecology in this habitat. Water samples were collected from hospital and institutional hot-water tanks known to have supported L. pneumophila and were analyzed for 23 chemical parameters. The chemical environment of these tanks was found to var...

Release of drinking water contaminants and odor impacts caused by green building cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) plumbing systems.

Green buildings are increasingly being plumbed with crosslinked polyethylene (PEX) potable water pipe. Tap water quality was investigated at a six month old plumbing system and chemical and odor quality impacts of six PEX pipe brands were examined. Eleven PEX related contaminants were found in the plumbing system; one regulated (toluene) and several unregulated: Antioxidant degradation products...

Disinfectants and Plumbing Materials: Effects on Sensory and Chemical Characteristics of Drinking Water

The distribution system is the primary cause of taste and odor complaints in drinking water. This research examined the ability of small diameter pipes used in home plumbing to affect drinking water quality. The properties of the materials were investigated in the absence of disinfectant and the presence of either chlorine or chloramines. A panel was trained in flavor profile analysis (FPA) acc...

Biofilms in drinking water distribution systems