分配系统内的微生物生长会对饮用水的质量产生不利影响。这篇文章的作者使用生物测定来评估水样支持微生物生长的可能性。该方法基于荧光假单胞菌的生长与水中易同化有机碳（AOC）浓度的函数关系。对水处理各个阶段的水样进行了分析。如果水被臭氧氧化或与增塑聚氯乙烯接触，水中AOC的浓度会增加。包括38个参考文献、表格、图表。

Microbial growth within a distribution system can adversely affect the quality of a drinking water. The authors of this article used bioassays to assess the likelihood of water samples supporting microbial growth. This method is based on the growth of fluorescent pseudomonads as a function of the concentration of easily assimilable organic carbon (AOC) in water. Water samples from various stages of water treatment were analyzed. The concentration of AOC in water increased if the water was ozonated or placed in contact with plasticized polyvinyl- chloride. Includes 38 references, tables, figures.