| Title |
Practical Selection of Indicator Microorganisms for Evaluating Microbial Removal in Water Treatment Plants |
| Authors |
정현미(Hyen Mi Chung),강태구(Tae Gu Kang),염철민(Cheol Min Yeom),이덕길(Duk Kil Rhee),윤제용(Je Yong Yoon) |
| Abstract |
This study was performed to select indicator microorganism practically applicable to water treatment plants for evaluating the removal of microorganisms such as viruses and protozoan cysts. Total of seven microorganisms were investigated. Four microorganisms for representing bacteria (E. coli, fecal coliform (FC), total coliform (TC) and heterotrophic plate counts (HPC)), two for protozoan (aerobic spore formers (ASF) and Clostridium perfringens (CP) spore) and one for viruses (F-specific RNA coliphage) were examined as a possible indicating microorganism. Each candidate microorganism was measured every month for 20 months in source and treated water of three water treatment plants (WTPs) characterized with varying water quality (lake or river; high or low BOD). The distribution of microorganisms in source and treated water were measured, and log removals of microorganisms in each water treatment plant were compared. Major findings are that ASF and HPC appeared to be the best indicator microorganism for evaluating pathogenic removal in water treatment plant although ASF was considered better. This decision was made from the following three criteria i) not only high but also stable level in the source water enough for quantitative evaluation, ii) the feasibility of detection method, iii) stability of the organisms in the water environment. For HPC and CP, the growth of microorganism and no detection in treated water were indicated as a weak point, respectively in this consideration. |