This study incorporated a series of pilot studies to evaluate the impact of nutrient levels, pipe materials and disinfection on the growth and survival of M. avium Complex organisms in distribution system biofilms. The experimental approach included construction of each pilot system using 124 one foot (30.48 cm) sections of cPVC pipe to examine the effect of nutrient levels on the survival and growth of M. avium Complex organisms in biofilms. The second pilot system was designed to utilize one nutrient level and four different pipe materials including cPVC, copper, galvanized and iron. Six Mycobacterium strains were grown in broth and diluted in sterile tap water. Single isolate cultures were passed weekly to sterile tap water twice prior to inoculation into the model system. Bacterial concentrations for each isolate were estimated using optical density (600 nm) to determine necessary dilutions prior to pooling into a 20 liter carboy for inoculation. Dilutions were made with system feed water. The first samples (water column and biofilm) were collected from the system 24 hours after flow of the system began. Samples were collected periodically from the water column and analyzed for various water quality parameters to ensure proper operation of the system.