Effect of Phosphorus on Survival of Escherichia coli in Drinking Water Biofilms." Appl Environ Microbiol 73(11): 37558

The effect of phosphorus addition on survival of Escherichia coli in an experimental drinking water distri-bution system was investigated. Higher phosphorus concentrations prolonged the survival of culturable E. coli in water and biofilms. Although phosphorus addition did not affect viable but not culturable (VBNC) E. coli in biofilms, these structures could act as a reservoir of VBNC forms of E. coli in drinking water distribution systems. Pathogens may enter the distribution system either through the source water or at any point within the distribution system (16). In the network enteric microorganisms, such as Esche-richia coli, may survive and even exhibit metabolic activity in biofilms on the surfaces of pipes and reservoirs (22, 5). This phenomenon compromises the use of E. coli as a reliable indicator for fecal pollution. Due to its very low infection dose the accumulation and subsequent release of pathogenic E. coli from a biofilm to the water phase are increasing the health risk of tap water consumption. The survival and culturability of E