persistent biofilms are one of the biggest problems facing water treatment facilities. What can be done to?

Question

reduce this problem?

Answer 1

Bacterial biofilms form on walls of storage tanks and pipes as well as on other surfaces and the surface of the water itself.

One way to kill the bacteria in these biofilms is to use chlorine dioxide. See article: http://www.prowater.co.uk/chlorine%20dioxide.htm

The artice sited below includes information about limiting biofilm growth by increasing temperature, increasing the rate of flow, limiting nutrients and sunlight (for photosynthetic biofilm formers), ...........

There are several lengthy paragraphs full of information about physical and chemical control of biofilms. It's probably worth your time to read the info. Pretty interesting, I think. "Controlling biofilms can be accomplished by a combination of physical and chemical methods. Physical methods may include filtration, ball scrubber systems, cooling tower air intake filters, and elimination of sunlight by shading. Side-stream filtration is often utilized with the intent of removing suspended solids from cooling water systems. .... and so on.