Relationship between bacterial regrowth and some physical and chemical parameters within Sydney's drinking water distribution system

A sampling program was set up within the Water Board (Sydney) drinking wate r distribution system to determine the presence and extent of bacterial reg rowth. System, physical, chemical and microbiological parameters, including the identification of bacteria isolated, were measured over a 14 month per iod and correlation analysis was carried out. Results showed that regrowth was present within the system and that certain parameters, such as turbidit y and distance from the initial treatment point, correlated with the presen ce of high bacterial numbers. identification of bacteria isolated on m-Endo broth indicated Klebsiella oxytoca as the principal coliform involved. Hig h numbers of Aeromonas hydrophila were also isolated. (C) 1998 Elsevier Sci ence Ltd. All lights reserved.