title: From source to filter: changes in bacterial community composition during potable water treatment.
abstract: Rural communities rely on surface water reservoirs for potable water. Effective removal of chemical contaminants and bacterial pathogens from these reservoirs requires an understanding of the bacterial community diversity that is present. In this study, we carried out a 16S rRNA-based profiling approach to describe the bacterial consortia in the raw surface water entering the water treatment plants of 2 rural communities. Our results show that source water is dominated by the Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Cyanobacteria, with some evidence of seasonal effects altering the predominant groups at each location. A subsequent community analysis of transects of a biological carbon filter in the water treatment plant revealed a significant increase in the proportion of Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, Planctomycetes, and Nitrospirae relative to raw water. Also, very few enteric coliforms were identified in either the source water or within the filter, although Mycobacterium was of high abundance and was found throughout the filter along with Aeromonas, Legionella, and Pseudomonas. This study provides valuable insight into bacterial community composition within drinking water treatment facilities, and the importance of implementing appropriate disinfection practices to ensure safe potable water for rural communities.
authors.affiliation: a Engineering Support & Research, SaskWater, Moose Jaw, Regina, SK S6H 1C8, Canada.
authors.forename: Enisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zanacic
authors.affiliation: b Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Regina, Regina, SK S4S 0A2, Canada.
authors.forename: Dena W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: McMartin
authors.affiliation: c Department of Biology, University of Regina, Regina, SK S4S 0A2, Canada.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stavrinides
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000254:growth & development*; D041963:Bacteroidetes; D000458:Cyanobacteria; D004203:Disinfection; D060766:Drinking Water / Q000382:microbiology*; D007875:Legionella; D020560:Proteobacteria / Q000145:classification; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D060766:Drinking Water; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S
keywords: 16S rRNA; ARNr 16S; Mycobacterium; biofiltration; biological activated carbon; charbon activé biologique; charbon activé granulaire; communauté microbienne; eau potable; granular activated carbon; microbial community; potable water