Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID GA_2025_Lai

Experimental study of biofilm growth and detachment in drinking water supply pipes

Institute: Georgia
Year Established: 2025 Start Date: 2026-01-01 End Date: 2026-12-31
Total Federal Funds: $20,000 Total Non-Federal Funds: $20,000

Principal Investigators: Chris Chung Kei Lai

Project Summary: Legionella pneumophila are commonly found in various water sources, including natural environments like lakes and streams, as well as building water systems. The risk of infection, such as Legionnaires' disease, is mainly linked to the bacteria's growth and release into the air from human-made water systems. In drinking water supply systems, bacterial growth depends on flow conditions inside water pipes, which vary throughout the day and are influenced by how the water is used. Another key factor is the surface roughness of the pipe wall material, which affects how bacteria grow. This growth results from a complex interaction between flow speed, pipe surface texture, and the biological behavior of biofilms. To better understand this, we will conduct laboratory experiments to measure how Legionella biofilms grow and detach under realistic flow conditions. The data collected will help improve risk assessments for Legionnaires' disease in water distribution systems.