ASTM D5246-24 PDF

Overview

ASTM D5246-24 is the internationally recognized standard test method for the isolation and enumeration of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from water. Developed by ASTM International’s Committee D19 on Water, this standard outlines a reliable and rapid membrane filtration technique to detect P. aeruginosa-an opportunistic pathogen-in water samples. Ensuring water quality is essential, given that P. aeruginosa can cause infections, especially in immunocompromised individuals, and is transmitted via contaminated water supplies.

Key Topics

• Pathogen Detection: Focused on identifying and quantifying Pseudomonas aeruginosa, an aerobic, motile, gram-negative bacterium that produces distinctive pigments and exhibits resistance to many antibiotics.
• Sample Types: Applicable to a broad range of water sources, including:
  • Surface waters
  • Recreational waters
  • Ground water
  • Rural nonchlorinated water supplies
  • Wastewater
  • Saline waters
• Detection Limit: As low as one microorganism per 100 mL, ensuring sensitivity for public health and environmental protection.
• Membrane Filtration Method: Utilizes a 0.45 μm membrane filter and selective media for efficient colony isolation and counting.
• Quality Assurance: Includes requirements for positive and negative controls, sterility checks for apparatus and media, and standardized reporting of results.

Applications

ASTM D5246-24 serves as an essential tool for environmental laboratories, water utilities, public health agencies, and industries requiring water quality monitoring. Key practical uses include:

• Municipal and Rural Water Supply Monitoring: Routine surveillance for P. aeruginosa in both chlorinated and nonchlorinated systems, with emphasis on rural, small-scale, or private supplies.
• Regulatory Compliance: Supports water quality standards and helps facilities meet health and environmental regulations linked to microbial contaminants.
• Industrial Water Testing: Applied in processes where P. aeruginosa presence can compromise product safety or system integrity, such as in cooling towers, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and food processing.
• Recreational Water Safety: Validates the biological safety of pools, spas, and natural bathing areas by monitoring for pathogen levels that pose health risks.
• Wastewater Treatment Validation: Supports assessment of treatment efficacy and monitoring of effluent to prevent environmental contamination.

Related Standards

For comprehensive water quality monitoring and laboratory practice, refer to these related ASTM standards:

• ASTM D1129 - Terminology Relating to Water
• ASTM D1193 - Specification for Reagent Water
• ASTM D2777 - Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias of Applicable Test Methods of Committee D19 on Water
• ASTM D3370 - Practices for Sampling Water from Flowing Process Streams

These standards provide foundational terminology, sampling techniques, and technical requirements to ensure the accuracy and reliability of water testing results.

Keywords: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, water testing, membrane filtration, ASTM D5246, water microbiology, pathogen detection, water quality standards, environmental monitoring, public health.