van der Wielen Lab

Microbial Ecology of Man Made Water Systems

We do research in the area of microbial ecology of man-made water systems, with a strong focus on biological activity in drinking water systems, cooling tower water, industrial and horticulture water. Our research focuses on biological activity that can be a foe or a friend to water quality. An example of the first is growth of opportunistic pathogens, such as Legionella pneumophila, non-tuberculous mycobacteria or Pseudomonas aeruginosa, in water systems. An example of the second is microbial degradation of chemical contaminants in biological active carbon or slow sand filtration during water treatment.




Paul W.J.J. van der Wielen
KWR Water Research Institute
Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University
paul.van.der.wielen@kwrwater.nl