Influence of biofilms on iron and manganese deposition in drinking water distribution systems

Abstract

Although health risk due to discoloured water is minimal, such water continues to be the source of one of the major complaints received by most water utilities in Australia. Elevated levels of iron (Fe) and/or manganese (Mn) in bulk water are associated with discoloured water incidents. The accumulation of these two elements in distribution systems is believed to be one of the main causes for such elevated levels. An investigation into the contribution of pipe wall biofilms towards Fe and Mn deposition, and discoloured water events is reported in this study. Eight laboratory-scale reactors were operated to test four different conditions in duplicate. Four reactors were exposed to low Fe (0.05 mg l⁻¹) and Mn (0.02 mg l⁻¹) concentrations and the remaining four were exposed to a higher (0.3 and 0.4 mg l⁻¹ for Fe and Mn, respectively) concentration. Two of the four reactors which received low and high Fe and Mn concentrations were chlorinated (3.0 mg l⁻¹ of chlorine). The biological activity (measured in terms of ATP) on the glass rings in these reactors was very low (∼1.5 ng cm⁻² ring). Higher concentrations of Fe and Mn in bulk water and active biofilms resulted in increased deposition of Fe and Mn on the glass rings. Moreover, with an increase in biological activity, an increase in Fe and Mn deposition was observed. The observations in the laboratory-scale experiments were in line with the results of field observations that were carried out using biofilm monitors. The field data additionally demonstrated the effect of seasons, where increased biofilm activities observed on pipe wall biofilms during late summer and early autumn were found to be associated with increased deposition of Fe and Mn. In contrast, during the cooler months, biofilm activities were a magnitude lower and the deposited metal concentrations were also significantly less (ie a drop of 68% for Fe and 86% for Mn). Based on the laboratory-scale investigations, detachment of pipe wall biofilms due to cell death or flow dynamics could release the entrapped Fe and Mn into the bulk water, which could lead to a discoloured water event. Hence, managing biofilm growth on drinking water pipelines should be considered by water utilities to minimize accumulation of Fe and Mn in distribution networks.

Keywords:

• discoloured water
• iron and manganese
• drinking water
• biofilms

Acknowledgements

The research was financially supported by the Water Corporation, Western Australia. The authors are grateful to the above industry partner and the research team at Curtin Water Quality Research Centre (CWQRC), Curtin University of Technology for their scientific and technical input into this project. Additionally, they thank Dr Kayley Usher for performing the SEM imaging and EDS X-ray microanalysis.