section-title u-h3 u-margin-l-top Abstract
reverse osmosis (RO), helps us get drinking water that stays clean and stable for longer. What we didn’t know much about was how RO water affects biofilms and the growth of L. pneumophila, the bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease. So, we set out to do two things: first, figure out how much Legionella could grow in RO water, even after we added minerals back in, and compare that to regular treated groundwater. Second, we wanted to see if different pipe materials, when exposed to remineralized RO water, could still encourage L. pneumophila to grow.
We used a boiler biofilm monitor (BBM) to check the water’s Legionella growth potential. This monitor really mimics how water flows in a home plumbing system. For the materials, we used a biomass production potential (BPP) test. We measured ATP levels in the biofilm on glass rings from the BBMs. With RO water, those ATP levels hovered around 100 pg ATP cm-2. But with conventionally treated water, the ATP concentrations in the biofilm were ten times higher! Not only that, conventionally treated water had a Legionella growth potential that was a whopping 1000 times higher than RO water, even after remineralization. When we looked at the BPP-test, glass, copper, and PVC-C showed the least biofilm and Legionella growth. PE-Xb, PE-Xc, and PE-100 were next, and PVC-P had the most biofilm and highest Legionella growth potential.
So, what does this all mean? Our study clearly showed that remineralized RO water doesn’t make L. pneumophila grow more in plumbing systems. However, if you’re using PE or PVC-P pipes, you might still see L. pneumophila growth, even with high-quality RO water. It’s something to keep in mind when you’re building or updating your water systems.
The post appeared first on .
Source: Water Feed
Related Articles
- Lead in Drinking Water: Scope, Risks, and Reverse Osmosis Solutions
- Efficacy of Flushing and Chlorination in Removing Microorganisms from a Pilot Drinking Water Distribution System
- QMRA of adenovirus in drinking water at a drinking water treatment plant using UV and chlorine dioxide disinfection
- Occurrence of Legionella spp. in Water-Main Biofilms from Two Drinking Water Distribution Systems
Frequently Asked Questions
Does reverse osmosis prevent Legionella growth?
Studies show reverse osmosis (RO) water significantly reduces Legionella growth potential compared to conventionally treated water. RO-produced drinking water exhibits a high degree of biostability, with one study showing 1000-fold lower Legionella growth potential than conventional water. AMPAC USA’s commercial RO systems are engineered to produce water with superior purity and biostability.
How does RO water’s Legionella growth potential compare to conventionally treated water?
Reverse osmosis (RO) water demonstrates a significantly lower Legionella growth potential. Research indicates that conventionally treated water can have 10-fold higher ATP concentrations in biofilm and a 1000-fold higher Legionella growth potential than (remineralized) RO water. This highlights RO’s effectiveness in producing highly biostable drinking water for various applications, from military bases to luxury resorts.
What pipe materials are recommended to minimize Legionella growth in RO water systems?
To minimize Legionella growth in premise plumbing systems supplied with RO water, materials like glass, copper, and PVC-C show the lowest biofilm concentrations and Legionella growth potential. Conversely, materials such as PE-Xb, PE-Xc, PE-100, and especially PVC-P, can still facilitate L. pneumophila growth despite high-quality RO water. AMPAC USA advises careful material selection for system integrity based on our 30+ years of field experience.
Can Legionella grow in premise plumbing systems even with high-quality RO water?
While remineralized RO water itself does not enhance L. pneumophila growth, the choice of pipe materials in the premise plumbing system is critical. Materials like PE (PE-Xb, PE-Xc, PE-100) and PVC-P can still support Legionella growth, even when supplied with highly biostable RO water. AMPAC USA emphasizes comprehensive system design and material selection to mitigate such risks in commercial and industrial installations.
How quickly can AMPAC USA deploy emergency water purification units?
AMPAC USA’s emergency EPRO and mobile RO units are designed for rapid deployment, becoming operational within 30–60 minutes of arrival on-site. These trailer-mounted and skid-mounted systems are pre-plumbed and pre-wired, requiring only connection to a power source. This ensures quick access to purified water in critical situations, a testament to our 30+ years of field experience across 150+ countries.
AMPAC USA engineers custom water purification systems for commercial, industrial, and emergency applications — from 500 GPD to multi-million GPD. Trusted by municipalities, military, and industry worldwide.
