The elimination of thermotolerant coliforms (Coli44) and spores of sulphite-reducing
clostridia (SSRC) by full-scale water treatment was determined by large volume
sampling. The objective was to determine the efficacy of full-scale treatment processes
against microorganisms, both against relatively sensitive vegetative bacteria and
resistant bacterial spores. In two short periods in winter and summer, much
information was collected about the elimination of Coli44 and SSRC by the overall
treatment, the contribution of the unit processes and the variability in elimination.
Coli44 concentrations in the source waters were reduced by 3.2 to 6.3 log to an
average concentration sufficiently low to achieve more than 99% compliance with
the drinking water standard. The elimination of SSRC was lower (1.4 to 4.2) and
SSRC were observed occasionally (>1%) in finished water by the routine weekly
sampling of 100 ml samples. The study also yielded much information about the
elimination efficacy of unit processes at the different locations. For instance low
inactivation at one of the full-scale ozonation processes for both indicators, different
efficacy of different floc-removal processes after coagulation, low elimination of
SSRC by filtration processes with infrequent filter bed cleaning and Coli44
breakthrough through treatment in winter due to concurrent failure of coagulation
and disinfection. This information enables process optimization and improved process control. Relating these breakthrough events to raw water quality or process
conditions may lead to measures to prevent these risk-events.
The quantitative information on efficacy of full scale treatment systems may also be
used as input for quantitative risk assessment. SSRC data appear to be applicable
in quantitative assessment of the risk of resistant pathogens, such as
Cryptosporidium, for describing the efficacy of coagulation/filtration and disinfection
processes, but not for slow sand filtration or granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.
Includes 15 references, tables, figures.