Particle-associated and planktonic Legionella spp. at the tap

In this study, we quantified planktonic and particle-associated Lp and Legionella spp. in first-draw and flushed drinking water samples. Citizen scientists collected 1-L cold tap samples both first-draw and flushed at 19 sites across the U.S. and across three seasons. Planktonic and particle-associated microorganisms were size fractionated via membrane filtration, and Legionella spp. and Lp were quantified by digital polymerase chain reaction. Further, amplicon sequencing targeting the Legionella genus was used to explore the diversity of Legionella spp. at each site.