The Pseudomonas group as an indicator of potential regrowth in water distribution systems

The regrowth of micro-organisms in the water distribution system is assisted by the presence of biodegradable organic matter (BDOC). The low concentration of available organic carbon in this type of water favours the growth of bacteria belonging to the Pseudomonadaceae family, as this group can grow better at low concentrations of substrate than other bacteria also present in the distribution system. Although the genus Aeromonas has already been adopted as an indicator of this potential regrowth, members of the Pseudomonadaceae have not yet been proposed as indicators of potential bacterial regrowth in the water distribution system. The results are presented of a year-long study of the Barcelona distribution system in which the presence of Pseudomonas and Aeromonas was analysed and the validity of these micro-organisms as indicators of potential regrowth in the distribution system was assessed. It seems that, at least in the drinking waters of the Barcelona area, Pseudomonas is a better indicator of potential bacterial regrowth than Aeromonas.