本文讨论了芽孢杆菌挑战试验的准备、方案和结果，该试验从未在全规模运行的水处理设施上进行过。该试验证明了这种技术在评估全尺寸处理设施膜完整性方面的有效性，以及USF Memcor CMF工厂有效地拒绝小于饮用水应用中主要关注的病原菌和原生动物的颗粒的能力。基于高浓度的孢子投加，该工厂实现了对巨大芽孢杆菌孢子的a>log 6排斥。Oropi水处理厂的测试说明了a>log 5的性能。 5拒绝，并证明USF Memcor CMF系统性能的可重复性，以及中试规模结果如何预测全规模设施的性能。挑战性试验还表明，当饲料中的芽孢杆菌水平较低时，作为一种监测技术并不实用，只用于证明完整性。然而，在存在自然芽孢杆菌孢子水平的情况下，它们可能不像巨大芽孢杆菌那样有用，因为它们倾向于存在于环境中，并代表着环境污染源。包括10个参考文献、表格和图表。

This paper discusses the preparation, protocol and results of the bacillus spore challenge test, which had never been carried out on a full scale operating water treatment facility. This test demonstrates the effectiveness of such a technique in evaluating membrane integrity of a full scale treatment facility, and the capability of a USF Memcor CMF plant to effectively reject particles smaller than pathogenic bacteria and protozoa of primary concern in drinking water applications. Based on spore dosing at high concentrations the plant achieved a >log 6 rejection of B. megaterium spores. The test at the Oropi WTP illustrated the capability of a >log 5.5 rejection, and demonstrates the repeatability of the performance of USF Memcor CMF systems, and how pilot scale results can predict the performance of a full scale facility. The Challenge test also demonstrated that where the bacillus spore levels in the feed are low it is not practical as a monitoring technique, only serving to demonstrate integrity. Where natural bacillus spore levels exist though, they may not be as useful as B megaterium as an indicator because of their propensity to exist in the environment and represent an ambient source of contamination. Includes 10 references, tables, figures.