A New Study Suggests Predatory Bacteria Could Purify Water

Based on a study conducted by researchers from Lund University and a Swedish water company, harmless predatory bacteria Bdellovibrio perform an integral role in the purification process of chlorine-free water.

Researchers analyzed chlorine-free water samples for 18 months following the ban on chlorine use in Varberg, Sweden, and the switch to ultrafiltration. They discovered that chloramine allowed certain bacteria to thrive. But with its absence, the population of these bacteria decreased while the predatory bacteria flourished during the third month.

“We have not seen this exact type of bacteria in previous studies of this drinking water network. It has probably been lying concealed in the biofilm but was now given an opportunity. It’s totally harmless for us humans,” said Catherine Paul, associate professor in Water Resources Engineering and Applied Microbiology at Lund University.

With this result, researchers concluded that chlorine could no longer be necessary to purify water and be replaced by harmless predatory bacteria. But more studies must be done to understand how the bacteria could benefit people, according to Paul.

Read the full article here to learn more about the study and the chlorine-alternative bacteria.

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