title: Impact of electronic faucets and water quality on the occurrence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in water: a multi-hospital study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare Pseudomonas aeruginosa prevalence in electronic and manual faucets and assess the influence of connecting pipes and water quality.
  
  
  METHODS
  Faucets in 4 healthcare centers in Quebec, Canada.
  
  
  METHODS
  Water samples from 105 electronic, 90 manual, and 14 foot-operated faucets were analyzed for P. aeruginosa by culture and enzymatic detection, and swab samples from drains and aerators were analyzed by culture. Copper and residual chlorine concentrations, temperature, and flow rate were measured. P. aeruginosa concentrations were analyzed in 4 consecutive volumes of cold water and a laboratory study was conducted on copper pipes and flexible hoses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  P. aeruginosa contamination was found in drains more frequently (51%) than in aerators (1%) or water (culture: 4%, enzyme detection: 16%). Prevalence in water samples was comparable between manual (14%) and 2 types of electronic faucets (16%) while higher for foot-operated faucets (29%). However, type 2 electronic faucets were more often contaminated (31%) than type 1 (14%), suggesting that faucet architecture and mitigated volume (30 mL vs 10 mL) influence P. aeruginosa growth. Concentrations were 100 times higher in the first 250 mL than after flushing. Flexible hoses were more favorable to P. aeruginosa growth than copper and a temperature of 40°C led to higher counts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The types of faucets and connecting pipes, flow rate, and water quality are important parameters influencing the prevalence and the concentrations of P. aeruginosa in faucets. High concentrations of P. aeruginosa in the first 250 mL suggest increased risk of exposure when using the first flush.
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Civil Engineering,Polytechnique Montreal,Montreal,Quebec,Canada.
authors.forename: Dominique
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Charron
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Civil Engineering,Polytechnique Montreal,Montreal,Quebec,Canada.
authors.forename: Emilie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bédard
authors.affiliation: 2INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier,Laval,Quebec,Canada.
authors.forename: Cindy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lalancette
authors.affiliation: 3Department of Microbiology and Immunology (Infection Control),CHU Ste-Justine,Université de Montréal,Montreal,Quebec,Canada.
authors.forename: Céline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Laferrière
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Civil Engineering,Polytechnique Montreal,Montreal,Quebec,Canada.
authors.forename: Michèle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Prévost
mesh_terms: D055615:Electrical Equipment and Supplies / Q000382:microbiology*; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006235:Hand Disinfection; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D011792:Quebec; D014871:Water Microbiology; D060753:Water Quality; D014881:Water Supply