• AWWA WQTC62528
Provide PDF Format

Learn More

AWWA WQTC62528

  • Water Chemistry and Growth of Nitrifying Bacteria in Drinking Water Distribution System
  • Conference Proceeding by American Water Works Association, 11/01/2005
  • Publisher: AWWA

$12.00$24.00


The impact of nutrients on growth of nitrifying bacteria is investigated under extremecircumstances encountered in premise plumbing. Growth of nitrifying bacteria used inthis study could not be maintained long-term on glass pipes during days of stagnationbetween introduction of freshwater. However, if pieces of concrete were present,growth was greatly stimulated. With continuous inoculation, nitrifying bacteria couldnot oxidize ammonia in stainless steel and pure lead pipes for a month of exposure, butcould do so thereafter. Similar effects were observed after three months for galvanizediron but not in copper pipe after five months. Studies of nitrification in glass piperevealed that zinc levels above 150 ppb and copper levels above 500 ppb inhibitednitrification. Phosphorus levels below 1 ppm, calcium below 0.27 ppm and potassiumbelow 3.89 ppm were associated with lower levels of nitrification. Other elementsincluding magnesium, molybdenum, cobalt, manganese, chelated iron, iron, nickel,chromium, tin, lead, aluminum did not have a strong effect on nitrification at levelsencountered in drinking water. Control of nutrients including phosphate could be animportant strategy to prevention of nitrification. Includes 22 references, tables, figures.

Related Products

AWWA ACE56362

AWWA ACE56362

Watershed Assessment Using Geographic Information Systems..

$12.00 $24.00

AWWA JAW21576

AWWA JAW21576

Journal AWWA - Evaluating Alternative Coagulants to Determine Efficiency and Cost Effectiveness ..

$15.00 $30.00

AWWA JAW48125

AWWA JAW48125

Journal AWWA - Considerations in As Analysis and Speciation..

$15.00 $30.00

AWWA ACE94279

AWWA ACE94279

Replacing Filters at a Water Treatment Plant: Making the Shoe Fit the Existing Treatment Process..

$12.00 $24.00