[Occurrence and significance of Actinomycetes in drinking water (author's transl)].

Different species of Actinomycetes could be found in the raw-water depending on the origin of the water. The process of water-treatment influenced the total count and the various species in a different mode. Actinomycetes were also isolated from slime which has been formed by microbial growth on PVC coated walls in reservoirs. The typical earthy-musty odour was only found in the genera Streptomyces, were as some species of Nocardia are able to produce a phenolic odour.