Assessment of oxidative and UV-C treatments for inactivating bacterial biofilms from groundwater wells

Abstract

Microorganisms are ubiquitous in natural environments and in water supply infrastructure including groundwater wells. Sessile-state microorganisms may build up on well surfaces as biofilms and, if excessive, cause biofouling that reduces well productivity and water quality. Conditions can be improved using biocides and other traditional well rehabilitation measures; however, biofilm regrowth is inevitable given the continuous introduction of microorganisms from the surrounding environment. Alternative and less invasive well maintenance approaches are desirable for reducing biofilm densities while also minimizing harmful disinfection-by-products. The primary objective of this research was to evaluate effectiveness of alternative treatments for inactivating microorganisms comprising biofilms. A novel approach was designed for in situ growth of biofilms on steel coupons suspended from ‘chandeliers’. After more than 100 days of in situ growth, biofilms were harvested, sampled, and baseline biofilm densities quantified through cultivation. Ultraviolet-C (UV-C) and oxidative treatments including hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), ozone (O₃) and mixed oxidants were then applied to the biofilms in laboratory-scale treatments. Microbial inactivation was assessed by comparing treated versus baseline biofilm densities. H₂O₂ was the most effective treatment, and decreased density below baseline by as much as 3.1 orders of magnitude. Mixed oxidants were effective for the well having a lower density biofilm, decreasing density below baseline by as much as 1.4 orders of magnitude. Disparity in the response to treatment was apparent in the wells despite their spatial proximity and common aquifer source, which suggests that microbiological communities are more heterogeneous than the natural media from which they originate.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

aquifer / biofouling / hydrogen peroxide / sustainability / well rehabilitation

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Acknowledgements

Funding for this research was provided by a municipal water supply company in the San Antonio area. We thank staff for facilitating the research and providing access to the well site. Support was also provided by the Center for Water Research (CWR) at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). We thank the CWR staff, and numerous undergraduate and graduate students for help in field sampling and laboratory preparation, along with the staff of the Mechanical Engineering Machine Shop at UTSA for assistance with design and build of project equipment. Several anonymous peer-reviewers are also acknowledged for providing input to improve this paper.

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