Modelling biofilm growth and disinfectant decay in drinking water

A simple biofilm model was developed to describe the growth of bacteria in drinking water biofilms and the subsequent interactions with disinfectant r esiduals incorporating the important processes, such as attachment of free bacteria to the biofilm an a wall surface, detachment of bacteria from the biofilm, growth of biofilm bacteria with chloramine inhibition, chloramine decay in the bulk water phase, and chloramine decay due to biofilm bacteria and wall surfaces. The model is useful in evaluating the biological stabil ity of different waters, as it can predict concentration of organic substan ces in water. In addition, the model can be used to predict the bacterial g rowth and biofilm decay in distribution systems. A model of this kind is a useful tool in developing system management strategies to ultimately improv e drinking water quality.