Safeguarding the microbial water quality from source to tap

Anthropogenic activities and climate change can deteriorate the freshwater quality and stress its availability. This stress can, in turn, have an impact on the biostability of drinking water. Up to now, the microbiological quality of drinking water has been maintained through the selection of high-quality water sources allied to the use of disinfectants and the removal of organic carbon. But as freshwater becomes richer in other nutrients, strategies used so far may not suffice to keep a steady and high-quality supply of drinking water in the future. This article readdresses the discussion on drinking water biostability. We need to reframe the concept as a dynamic equilibrium that considers the available nutrients and energy sources (potential for growth) relative to the abundance and composition of the bacterial community (potential to consume the available resources).

Automated summary

Human activities and climate change can degrade freshwater quality and availability, impacting the biostability of drinking water. The traditional strategies of using disinfectants and removing organic carbon may not be sufficient in maintaining a steady and high-quality drinking water supply in the future. Therefore, it is necessary to reconsider the concept of drinking water biostability as a dynamic equilibrium based on nutrient availability and bacterial community composition.