Significance and Use
This test method determines potentially effective microbicides for use in cooling water systems using cooling water and deposits/biofilm obtained from the field. The addition of deposits/biofilms addresses the need to include the major source of microorganisms in cooling water systems. Even with this addition, laboratory results may not be totally predictive of microbicidal effectiveness in the field. This is because conditions in the field affecting microbicide effectiveness are difficult to mimic in the laboratory. These include blow down rate, addition of makeup water, water hardness, hydrocarbon leaks, pH, sediment loading, dissolved solids, microbes in slime, and deposits (biofilms) on surfaces. An additional factor is the difficulty in enumerating all microbes in the water due to the lack of adequate recovery media. Guidelines that address formation of and testing for surface-attached microbes (biofilms) may be found in Guides E 1427, while a guideline for unconventional measurement of microbes is found in Guide E 1326.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method outlines a procedure for evaluating the efficacy of microbicides (algicides, bactericides, and fungicides) that will be used for controlling microbial growth in cooling water systems. The microbicides will be evaluated using simulated or real cooling tower water against (1) microbes from cooling water, (2) microbes in microbiological deposits (biofilms) from operating cooling systems, or (3) microorganisms known to contaminate cooling water systems, or a combination thereof. This test method should be performed by individuals familiar with microbiological techniques.
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) 
The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.
ASTM Standards
D3731 Practices for Measurement of Chlorophyll Content of Algae in Surface Waters
D4012 Test Method for Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) Content of Microorganisms in Water
D4412 Test Methods for Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria in Water and Water-Formed Deposits
E1054 Test Methods for Evaluation of Inactivators of Antimicrobial Agents
E1326 Guide for Evaluating Nonconventional Microbiological Tests Used for Enumerating Bacteria
E1427 Guide for Selecting Test Methods to Determine the Effectiveness of Antimicrobial Agents and Other Chemicals for the Prevention, Inactivation and Removal of Biofilm
Index Terms
algae; algicide; bacteria; bactericide; biofilm; cooling tower; cooling tower water; deposits/lime; efficacy; fungi; fungicide; microbial biofouling; microbicide;
ICS Code
ICS Number Code 65.100.99 (Other pesticides and agrochemicals)
DOI: 10.1520/E0645-07
ASTM International is a member of CrossRef.
Citing ASTM Standards
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