Drinking Water Engineering and Science Discussions www.drink-water-eng-sci-discuss.net 1996-9473 1996-9481 3 1 2010 10.5194/dwesd-3-43-2010 http://www.drink-water-eng-sci-discuss.net/3/43/2010/ http://www.drink-water-eng-sci-discuss.net/3/43/2010/dwesd-3-43-2010.html http://www.drink-water-eng-sci-discuss.net/3/43/2010/dwesd-3-43-2010.pdf 43 64 2010-01-22 MUWS (Microbiology in Urban Water Systems) – an interdisciplinary approach to study microbial communities in urban water systems P. Deines R. Sekar H. S. Jensen S. Tait J. B. Boxall A. M. Osborn C. A. Biggs c.biggs@sheffield.ac.uk ChELSI Institute, Pennine Water Group, Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, The University of Sheffield, UK Pennine Water Group, Department of Civil and Structural Engineering, The University of Sheffield, UK Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK Pennine Water Group, School of Engineering Design and Technology, The University of Bradford, Bradford, UK <b>M</b>icrobiology in <b>U</b>rban <b>W</b>ater <b>S</b>ystems (MUWS) is an integrated project, which aims to characterize the microorganisms found in both potable water distribution systems and sewer networks. These large infrastructure systems have a major impact on our quality of life, and despite the importance of these systems as major components of the water cycle, little is known about their microbial ecology. Potable water distribution systems are large, highly interconnected and dynamic, and difficult to control. Sewer systems are also large and subject to time varying inputs and demands. Their performance also faces increasing loading due to increasing urbanization and longer-term environmental changes. Therefore, understanding the link between microbial ecology and any potential impacts on short or long-term engineering performance is important. By combining the strengths and research expertise of civil-, biochemical engineers and molecular microbial ecologists, we aim to link the abundance and diversity of microorganisms to physical and engineering variables so that novel insights into the ecology of microorganisms within both water distribution systems and sewer networks can be explored. By presenting the details of this multidisciplinary approach, and the principals behind the molecular microbiological methods and techniques that we use, this paper will demonstrate the potential of an integrated approach to better understand urban water system function and so meet future challenges. 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