Characterization and identification of a chlorine-resistant bacterium, Sphingomonas TS001, from a model drinking water distribution system

• A chlorine-resistant bacterium was isolated from a model drinking water distribution system.
• 100% of HPC detected in the distribution system was with a high chlorine residual.
• The isolate was identified as part of the genus, Sphingomonas and it was sensitive to UV.

This study describes the identification and characterization of a new chlorine resistant bacterium, Sphingomonas TS001, isolated from a model drinking water distribution system. The isolate was identified by 16s rRNA gene analysis and morphological and physiological characteristics. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that TS001 belongs to the genus Sphingomonas. The model distribution system HPC results showed that, when the chlorine residual was greater than 0.7 mg L− 1, 100% of detected heterotrophic bacteria (HPC) was TS001. The bench-scale inactivation efficiency testing showed that this strain was very resistant to chlorine, and 4 mg L− 1 of chlorine with 240 min retention time provided only approximately 5% viability reduction of TS001. In contrast, a 3-log inactivation (99.9%) was obtained for UV fluencies of 40 mJ cm− 2. A high chlorine-resistant and UV sensitive bacterium, Sphingomonas TS001, was documented for the first time.