title: Methodological approaches for studying the microbial ecology of drinking water distribution systems.
abstract: The study of the microbial ecology of drinking water distribution systems (DWDS) has traditionally been based on culturing organisms from bulk water samples. The development and application of molecular methods has supplied new tools for examining the microbial diversity and activity of environmental samples, yielding new insights into the microbial community and its diversity within these engineered ecosystems. In this review, the currently available methods and emerging approaches for characterising microbial communities, including both planktonic and biofilm ways of life, are critically evaluated. The study of biofilms is considered particularly important as it plays a critical role in the processes and interactions occurring at the pipe wall and bulk water interface. The advantages, limitations and usefulness of methods that can be used to detect and assess microbial abundance, community composition and function are discussed in a DWDS context. This review will assist hydraulic engineers and microbial ecologists in choosing the most appropriate tools to assess drinking water microbiology and related aspects.
authors.affiliation: Pennine Water Group, Department of Civil and Structural Engineering, The University of Sheffield, UK. Electronic address: i.douterelo@sheffield.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Isabel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Douterelo
authors.affiliation: Pennine Water Group, Department of Civil and Structural Engineering, The University of Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: Joby B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Boxall
authors.affiliation: Institute of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, Massey University, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Deines
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, China.
authors.forename: Raju
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sekar
authors.affiliation: Pennine Water Group, Department of Civil and Structural Engineering, The University of Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: Katherine E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Fish
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: Catherine A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Biggs
mesh_terms: D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development; D060766:Drinking Water / Q000382:microbiology*; D008828:Microbiological Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D064307:Microbiota; D014881:Water Supply
chemical_list: D060766:Drinking Water
keywords: Biofilms; Drinking water distribution systems; Methodological approaches; Microbial diversity; Microbial function