Bacterial communities in DWTP upflow and downflow BAC filters

Biological activated carbon (BAC) filters in drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs) can be configured as either up-flow or down-flow beds. High throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA genes was performed to explore the diversity of bacteria in several pairs of upflow and downflow BAC filters for potable water production in China. Meanwhile, bacterial communities in water samples during drinking water treatment processes (i.e., raw water, BAC influent, BAC effluent, finished water) were also profiled.