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International Conference on

Recent Trends in Environmental Sustainability

ESCON22/FWSH/01
Characterization of biofilms formed within the overhead and underground water
storage tanks of a Residential University

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Aiza javed ; Hira Amjad* ; Imran Hashmi
1,2,3 Institute of Environmental Science and Engineering (IESE), School of Civil and
Environmental Engineering (SCEE), National University of Sciences and Technology
(NUST), H-12, Islamabad, Pakistan
Correspondence: hamjad@iese.nust.edu.pk

Abstract
The drinking water source needs storage due to its rough ingesting. Storage involves the risk
of contamination before use and long-term storage of water may mains to the formation of
biofilms within water storage tanks. Biofilms are predominant mode of microbial growth, and
its formation poses a substantial problem to the drinking water distribution lines as a potential
source of bacterial pollution. This study aims to monitor the formation of biofilms at time
intervals of 15 and 30 days in different water storage tanks of a residential university using
Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Water storage tanks studied; include Polyvinyl
Chloride (PVC) and Reinforced Concrete Cement (RCC). SEM images of biofilm coupons
exposed that there is dense growth of biofilm on coupons after 15 and 30 days in judgement to
control. Moreover, Zone-1 and Zone-III showed more thick biofilm growth on RCC when
compared to PVC, both after 15 and 30 days in overhead and underground tanks of Zone-I and
in underground tank of Zone-III. However, in Zone-II RCC showed more growth compared to
PVC in both overhead and underground storage tanks after 15 days but after 30 days there was
more growth on RCC in underground tanks but in overhead tank PVC showed more growth of
biofilm. Moreover, in Zone-II RCC showed more growth of biofilm after 15 days compared to
30 days in overhead storage tanks. The results demonstrate the indication that pathogenic
bacteria that invade water storage systems or are already present may survive in biofilms for at
least several weeks even under unfavorable conditions and pose a threat to water users.
Key Words: Storage tanks; Stored water; Biofilm; Reinforced concrete cement; Polyvinyl
chloride; Water source

Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Vehari Campus

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