Biofilm Formation in Clean Water Lines

 

Clean water systems, including those that deliver distilled, deionized, reverse osmosis treated, or drinking water can be colonized by biofilms. In the biofilm state, the organisms are less susceptible to disinfectants than suspended cells, and they can persist even under very low nutrient conditions. The biofilms act as a reservoir for a variety of microorganisms that can be periodically released and enter the water. These suspended cells may then contribute to product contamination. Speaker Dr. Anne Camper, professor of civil engineering, adjunct professor of microbiology and associate dean for research and graduate studies, College of Engineering at Montana State University, will cover some of the basics of biofilms in clean water systems, including conditions conducive to biofilm growth, potential control mechanisms, the types of organisms that may be found, and the problems with current detection methods. 

 

Dr. Camper has also been involved with the Center for Biofilm Engineering at MSU since its inception. Her B.S. and M.S. degrees are in environmental microbiology, and her Ph.D. is in civil/environmental engineering. Research interests are in biofilm growth and control in drinking and industrial water systems; the fate, transport and survival of pathogens in biofilm systems; and the physiology of biofilm bacteria. She has been the principal investigator or co-principal investigator on 45 grants related to drinking water treatment or distribution. She was part of a team that received the American Academy of Environmental Engineering Excellence in Environmental Engineering Research Grand Prize for the project Evaluation of Ozone and Ultraviolet Light. Research funding has been from industry, the U.S. EPA, Army Research Office, National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, the American Water Works Association Research Foundation, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. She has also served as a consultant to large and small drinking water utilities.