Modern approaches to assessing biofouling of materials and equipment used in drinking water supply

Introduction. Antimicrobial resistance is one of the top ten threats to global health. Close contact between bacteria in biofilms facilitates horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance genes. This results in higher selection pressure on bacteria compared to planktonic forms. The impossibility of handling tap water directly inside the pipe forces us to pay attention to the adhesive properties of materials additionally introduced into the electrical wiring and methods for assessing biofouling.

Materials and methods. The water pipe samples were tested according to MU 2.1.4.2898–11. Biofouling processes on water pipe samples made of various materials were studied under static conditions. The total number of microorganisms was determined in accordance with GOST 34786–2021.

Results. The obtained results indicate that significant differences in microbiological indicators of water quality should be expected. It can be assumed that the greatest tendency to biofouling will be materials of composite nature. At the same time, studies conducted in other countries show different results regarding biofouling, which, by the way, indicates to the inadequacy of conclusions based only on the method we use.

Limitations. The study was conducted on six water pipe samples under standard conditions. Experiments should be conducted under conditions closer to the operating conditions of these materials, simulating water flow and under longer-term contact conditions.

Conclusion. Increasing the number of analyzed drinking water quality indicators, as well as the procedure for identifying new opportunistic microorganisms associated with antibiotic resistance, will likely lead to greater economic costs than testing water supply elements and systems for biofouling of newly commissioned equipment. Thus, the above arguments support the study of biofouling assessment methods and their introduction into routine practice, including from the point of view of the importance of combating antibiotic resistance.

Compliance with ethical standards. The study does not require the conclusion of the Biomedical Ethics Committee.

Contribution:
Alekseeva A.V. — concept and design of the study, writing the text, collecting material and processing data, editing;
Rakhmanin Yu.A. — concept and design of the study, editing;
Stratan G.S. — writing the text, collecting material and processing data;
Malysheva A.G. — editing.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version.

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Funding. The study had no sponsorship.

Received: July 21, 2025 / Accepted: October 15, 2025 / Published: November 14, 2025

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