SAFER - Surveillance and control of microbiological stability in drinking water distribution networks

Drinking water meeting microbiological standards is a significant source of gastrointestinal illnesses. Such an endemic situation can be related to the constant introduction of low level of pathogens and growth of heterotrophic microorganisms in the distribution system bio films. The control of the biological stability of drinking water during its transport in distribution systems has always been a challenge in terms of public health and requested sensitive and rapid analytical tools. On line, non-destructive techniques for early measurement of bio film accumulation, detection of pathogens in bio films, and rapid evaluation of the disinfections efficiency were the main objectives of the programme. All industrial sectors or institutions using water had been interested in the development of such techniques.