Reconsidering the Rationality of Ultrafiltration as the Ultimate Safeguard for Reclaimed Water Biosafety: Unexpected Risks Arise under Different Storage Conditions

Cui, H; Ding, A; Ma, W; Zhang, R; Lin, W; Desmond, P; Ngo, HH; Li, G; Liang, H

Reconsidering the Rationality of Ultrafiltration as the Ultimate Safeguard for Reclaimed Water Biosafety: Unexpected Risks Arise under Different Storage Conditions

Cui, H Ding, A Ma, W Zhang, R Lin, W Desmond, P Ngo, HH Li, G Liang, H

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Publisher:: American Chemical Society (ACS)
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: ACS ES and T Water, 2024, 4, (5), pp. 2235-2246
Issue Date:: 2024-05-10

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Cui, H
dc.contributor.author	Ding, A
dc.contributor.author	Ma, W
dc.contributor.author	Zhang, R
dc.contributor.author	Lin, W
dc.contributor.author	Desmond, P
dc.contributor.author	Ngo, HH
dc.contributor.author	Li, G
dc.contributor.author	Liang, H
dc.date.accessioned	2025-02-19T21:28:57Z
dc.date.available	2025-02-19T21:28:57Z
dc.date.issued	2024-05-10
dc.identifier.citation	ACS ES and T Water, 2024, 4, (5), pp. 2235-2246
dc.identifier.issn	2690-0637
dc.identifier.issn	2690-0637
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/185215
dc.description.abstract	Ultrafiltration, an advanced process for producing biologically safe reclaimed water, has confronted challenges from bacterial regrowth. We conducted a comprehensive investigation into the biosafety risks of ultrafiltration-treated reclaimed water under five distinct storage conditions, considering temperature variations, airborne bacterial invasion, and light. Although ultrafiltration removed over 97% of the bacterial load, bacterial regrowth occurred during storage. Elevated temperatures resulted in the highest heterotrophic plate count (HPC), while lower temperatures favored increased total cell count (TCC). Notably, lower temperatures facilitated a surge in the number of potential pathogenic bacteria. Light exposure also elevated the potential pathogenic bacteria. Surprisingly, high temperatures posed minimal biosafety risk. While airborne bacterial invasion insignificantly affected potential pathogenic bacterial count, it constituted 67 ± 4% of total regrowth bacteria, with membrane breakthrough bacteria comprising the remaining 33 ± 4%, as revealed by SourceTracker. The impact of storage conditions on the bacterial community structure varied, with temperature exerting the most significant effect. Correlation analysis affirmed the potential of UV254 and total fluorescence intensity as alternative indicators for HPC, and polysaccharide content emerged as a suitable substitute indicator for potential pathogenic bacterial count. Future endeavors should prioritize the development of integrated ultrafiltration processes designed to inhibit pathogen regrowth in reclaimed water treatment.
dc.language	en
dc.publisher	American Chemical Society (ACS)
dc.relation.ispartof	ACS ES and T Water
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1021/acsestwater.4c00042
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/restrictedAccess
dc.title	Reconsidering the Rationality of Ultrafiltration as the Ultimate Safeguard for Reclaimed Water Biosafety: Unexpected Risks Arise under Different Storage Conditions
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	4
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology/School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/UTS Groups
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/UTS Groups/Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater (CTWW)
utslib.copyright.status	in_progress	*
dc.date.updated	2025-02-19T21:28:55Z
pubs.issue	5
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	4
utslib.citation.issue	5

Abstract:

Ultrafiltration, an advanced process for producing biologically safe reclaimed water, has confronted challenges from bacterial regrowth. We conducted a comprehensive investigation into the biosafety risks of ultrafiltration-treated reclaimed water under five distinct storage conditions, considering temperature variations, airborne bacterial invasion, and light. Although ultrafiltration removed over 97% of the bacterial load, bacterial regrowth occurred during storage. Elevated temperatures resulted in the highest heterotrophic plate count (HPC), while lower temperatures favored increased total cell count (TCC). Notably, lower temperatures facilitated a surge in the number of potential pathogenic bacteria. Light exposure also elevated the potential pathogenic bacteria. Surprisingly, high temperatures posed minimal biosafety risk. While airborne bacterial invasion insignificantly affected potential pathogenic bacterial count, it constituted 67 ± 4% of total regrowth bacteria, with membrane breakthrough bacteria comprising the remaining 33 ± 4%, as revealed by SourceTracker. The impact of storage conditions on the bacterial community structure varied, with temperature exerting the most significant effect. Correlation analysis affirmed the potential of UV254 and total fluorescence intensity as alternative indicators for HPC, and polysaccharide content emerged as a suitable substitute indicator for potential pathogenic bacterial count. Future endeavors should prioritize the development of integrated ultrafiltration processes designed to inhibit pathogen regrowth in reclaimed water treatment.

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:

http://hdl.handle.net/10453/185215