AWWA M56 : 2026

The manual is organized into two main parts: Chapters 1–5 provide background information on the occurrence and microbiology of nitrification in various water environments. Chapters 7–9 are intended to provide current practical approaches to nitrification prevention and response. Each chapter can be read independently; therefore, there is some limited repetition between the chapters to provide necessary background of important concepts or to reference another chapter. Some distribution system maintenance techniques may also be used for multiple purposes. For example, breakpoint chlorination or flushing can be used both as nitrification prevention and response methods; therefore, they are discussed in multiple chapters. However, one subject is discussed in detail only in the most appropriate chapter, and typically shorter discussion is provided elsewhere. The index can be helpful in finding information on a subject of interest presented in different context throughout the manual.