控制生物膜的生长对于维持配电系统和设备的健康至关重要 最终是公众。仅提供余氯，无法有效消除生物膜 需要增加铁管系统并定期清除生物膜。 生物膜可以通过机械清洗（清管）或冲洗去除。清管就是 有效去除生物膜；然而，它的成本很高，可能会导致泄漏和对旧设备的损坏， 恶化的系统。尤其是对于小型系统，冲洗也可以有效地去除生物膜 移动然而，有两个关键因素将决定效果。首先，空气中的流速 管道必须达到2米/秒（6英尺/秒）或更高，以有效去除生物膜，其次是 必须以系统的方式冲洗系统，以确保所有管段完全冲洗干净 生物膜残留物并不是简单地从系统的一个部分转移到另一个部分。 本文讨论了通过过去的经验变得明显的几个重要问题，以及为有效控制配水系统内的水质并实施有效冲洗计划而制定的实施规程。 该配水系统水质管理计划的要素包括:单向冲洗；坦克演习；油罐清洗；线路维修/更换消毒；腐蚀控制；瓣膜运动；以及监控。本文继续讨论冲洗技术和冲洗的好处。

Control of biofilm growth is essential in maintaining the health of the distribution system and ultimately the public. Providing a chlorine residual alone, is not effective in eliminating biofilm growth in iron pipe systems and periodic removal of the biofilms is required. Biofilms can be removed either by mechanical cleaning (pigging) or flushing. Pigging is effective in removing the biofilm; however, it is expensive and can cause leaks and damage to older, deteriorated systems. Especially for small systems, flushing can also be effective in biofilm removal. However, two critical factors will govern the effectiveness. First, the flow velocity in the pipes must be 2 m/sec (6 ft/sec) or greater to effectively remove the biofilm, and second, the system must be flushed in a systematic manner to ensure all pipe sections are completely flushed and that biofilm residue is not simply moved from one part of the system to another. The paper discusses several important issues that have become apparent through past experience, along with the Code of Practice that was developed to provide for effective control of the water quality within a distribution system and to enable the implementation of an effective flushing plan. The elements of this distribution system water quality management program include: unidirectional flushing; tank exercise; tank cleaning; line repair/replacement disinfection; corrosion control; valve exercise; and, monitoring. The paper continues with a discussion of flushing techniques and the benefits of flushing.