Rainwater harvesting (RWH) at individual residences is emerging as an alternative method of providing water for indoor domestic potable use. Harvested rainwater can contain high numbers of bacteria, and RWH systems often are equipped with disinfection systems (e.g., UV or chlorination). In this study, we examined the microbial communities in harvested rainwater at three full-scale RWH systems located within a one-mile radius of one another in central Texas. At each site, samples were collected from the storage cistern and tap every three months for one year. DNA was extracted, and the 16S rRNA gene was sequenced with MiSeq Illumina®; genera that contain human pathogens were found in the harvested rainwater before and after conventional disinfection with chlorine or UV. Nanosilver-enabled ceramic water filters could be used to inactivate microorganisms in harvested rainwater. In this study, nanosilver was immobilized on ceramic surfaces with a natural organic coating, pinyon rosin. This coating prevents undue loss of silver from the ceramic water filters and allows for steady, long-term dissolution to yield ionic silver. Silver release was measured with inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry, and antimicrobial effectiveness was assessed with cell viability tests.

Potential for disinfecting rainwater with nanosilver-enabled ceramic filters

255th National Meeting (2018)

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