RESUMO
The main aim of this work was to determine the most appropriate materials for the installation of a water system according to the characteristics of the water that passes through it. To this end, we conducted an investigation of the effect of two types of water (SDW: sterile distilled water and STW: sterile tap water) on the properties of bacterial surfaces and the theoretical adhesion of two bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli) on six plumbing materials. Contact angle measurements were used to determine the surface energies of bacteria and materials. XDLVO theory was used to estimate the interactions between bacteria and plumbing materials. The results showed that water had a clear impact on the electron donor character and the hydrophobicity of the bacterial surfaces. Also, the predictive adhesion showed that all tested materials could be colonized by P. aeruginosa and E. coli ([Formula: see text]<0). However, colonization became thermodynamically less favorable or unfavorable (increase in [Formula: see text] values) with SDW and STW, respectively. Finally, the results suggest that the choice of the most suitable material for a drinking water installation is related to the quality of the water itself.