Verification of the efficiency of chemical disinfection and sanitation measures in in-building distribution systems

Abstract

Previous investigations of biofilms, generated in a silicone tube model have shown that the number of colony forming units (CFU) can reach 10(7)/cm(2), the total cell count (TCC) of microorganisms can be up to 10(8)cells/cm(2). The present study focuses on the situation in in-building distribution systems. Different chemical disinfectants were tested for their efficacy on drinking water biofilms in silicone tubes: free chlorine (electrochemically activated), chlorine dioxide, hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), silver, and fruit acids. With regard to the widely differing manufacturers' instructions for the usage of their disinfectants three different variations of the silicone tube model were developed to simulate practical use conditions. First the continuous treatment, second the intermittent treatment, third the efficacy of external disinfection treatment and the monitoring for possible biofilm formation with the Hygiene-Monitor. The working experience showed that it is important to know how to handle the individual disinfectants. Every active ingredient has its own optimal application concerning its concentration, exposure time, physical parameters like pH, temperature or redox potential. When used correctly all products tested were able to reduce the CFU to a value below the detection limit. Most of the active ingredients could not significantly reduce the TCC/cm(2), which means that viable microorganisms may still be present in the system. Thus the question arises what happened with these cells? In some cases SEM pictures of the biofilm matrix after a successful disinfection still showed biofilm residues. According to these results, no general correlation between CFU/cm(2), TCC/cm(2) and the visualised biofilm matrix on the silicone tube surface (SEM) could be demonstrated after a treatment with disinfectants.