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Name: Patrick
Status: Educator
Age: 20s
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: N/A
Question:
What types of bacteria are in the pipes at homes/ what types or bacteria would be found?


Replies:
Your question is not very specific. Do you ask what kind of bacteria are present in waste water or what kind grow as a lining in water pipes? The latter are bacteria that form mats, and they can cause real problems because they provide a surface to which other bacteria can stick. If you're concerned about pathogenic bacteria (those causing diseases) living in (warm) water pipes, it is Legionella that you're after. Check the Legionella species file in the Virtual Museum of Bacteria, at www.bacteriamuseum.org. (you can go there directly with

www.bacteriamuseum.org/species/legionella.shtml).

If it is something different you want to know, get back to us.

Dr. Trudy Wassenaar


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