Little information is available regarding the applicability of various disinfectants to the control of microbial growths within water distribution systems, especially in relation to "nuisance" organisms. With regards to microbially mediated iron precipitation, an isolated heterotrophic iron precipitating bacterium was identified. An investigation of free chlorine, chloramines, and chlorine dioxide was undertaken to examine their applicability in the control and/or elimination of this type of deterioration in water quality. Environmental conditions were then varied to determine their effects on the disinfectant's efficiencies.

The isolated bacterium was identified as Pseudomonas cepacia. It was determined that chlorine dioxide offered a serious challenge to chlorine as a secondary disinfectant on the basis of its biocidal capabilities and stability. Solution pH affected free chlorine's efficiency the greatest, while chloramine's poor efficiency suggested that its use should be avoided in areas of microbial iron precipitation.

Water temperature and turbidity showed a minimal effect on the rate of inactivation of P. cepacia for all the disinfectants under consideration.