A system for treating a biologically contaminated water stream to lyse pathogens within the biologically contaminated water stream is provided. The system can include a flash vessel configured to receive a biologically contaminated water stream and to separate steam from liquid in the biologically contaminated water stream, a blower configured to receive the separated steam from the flash vessel and compress the separated steam for reintroduction into the biologically contaminated water stream, a circulation pump configured to receive the separated liquid from the flash vessel and to pressurize the separated liquid into a circulation stream, a preheater exchanger configured to receive treated water from the circulation stream and preheat the biologically contaminated water stream, and a pressure drop device configured to lower the pressure of the biologically contaminated water stream prior to receipt by the flash vessel.