Understanding the Mechanisms of Chlorine and Chloramine Impact on Opportunistic Pathogens in Distribution Systems

While opportunistic pathogens (OPs) pose significant health threats, they can be managed effectively in well-operated drinking water distribution systems. Understanding the mechanisms of OP inactivation in complex real-world samples will provide opportunities for holistic optimization of treatments and reduce unintended consequences. This project will use a suite of analytical approaches to assess the mechanistic effects of chlorine and chloramine disinfection on a prioritized group of OPs (e.g., Legionella pneumophila, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and nontuberculous mycobacteria) in lab and pilot studies using real-world conditions.