BiofilmandItsFormationinWaterSystem

Biofilm formation in pipelines of water distribution system during the continuous running of system and methods to remove it.
Biofilm is a well known problem of water systems in pharmaceuticals. It is produced by the bacteria and other organisms of various species. Bacteria and
other microbes are attached to the inner surface of the water pipelines and starts colonizing.
Sometimes pathogens can also participate in the formation of biofilms in the water distribution system. E.coli and Salmonella are more likely to be found in
bilfilms.

Related: How to Remove Pathogenic Bacteria from Water System

Biofilm formation in water system starts with the attachment of free floating bacteria to the inner surface of water supply pipeline. Polymucosaccharides,
secreted by bacteria helps to attach to the surface and cannot be detached with gentle rinsing. If these initially attached cells are not removed, these cells
grow on surface forming colonies and permanently attached to the surface with the help of pili and flagella. These cells are embedded in a self prepared
matrix known as slime layer or EPS Extracellular Polymeric Substance which protects them from external environment. Slime layer is an initial stage of
biofilm formation and produced by the byproducts secreted by these attached microorganisms. These slime layers are hydrophobic in nature that helps the
microorganisms remain attached with the surface.
After the maturation of biofilm it starts releasing microorganisms spreading in water which cause continuous contamination in water system.

Biofilm formation takes a very short period if water remains stagnant in water distribution system. Dead legs and rough surface also cause the biofilm
formation. Therefore, water system should always remain in continuous recirculation having smooth surface and no dead leg. These biofilms cannot be
disinfected easily and recolonize again in very short time period after the removal of disinfecting agent. Most of the biofilms are resistant to weak
disinfectants as chlorine, ozone etc.

Biofilm associated microorganisms are also resistant to low concentrations of antibiotics then free living microbes. E.coli in biofilms requires 500 times more
concentrate amphicillin to get 3 log reductions and Staphylococcus aureus requires 10 times more concentration of vancomycin to get 3 log reductions.

The properties of biofilm associated bacteria may completely differ from the free living bacteria of same species. The growth of microorganisms remain
slow then the free living probably because of the availability of the nutrients available in the biofilms.

These biofilms also damage the pipes because of the presence of sulfate reducing bacteria those produce hydrogen sulfite as byproduct. This hydrogen
sulfite reacts with the iron of pipes causing leakage and break down.

Biofilm Removal from Water System

Removal of biofilm from water system is not an easy task. It is always much better to prevent the system from the biofilm formation then its removal. But
when occurred it is first treated with strong acid i.e. nitric acid followed by strong base i.e. sodium hydroxide. By these both inorganic and organic
compounds associated with the biofilm are removed very effectively resulting its separation from the surface. Now whole system is disinfected with the
strong disinfectants as hydrogen peroxide. Use of UV light in water system is an effective way to prevent the biofilm formation.

Also see: Sanitization of RO Systems and Biofilm Removal

Ankur Choudhary is India's first professional pharmaceutical blogger, author and founder of Pharmaceutical Guidelines, a widelyread pharmaceutical
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