Journal of water and health最新文献

In Canada, First Nations (FN) are the largest of three Indigenous groups who have occupied and lived on the land for thousands of years. With a current population of about 1.1 million, universal access to safe drinking water remains a persistent problem, with advisories a norm rather than an exception in many FN communities. This study examines the Federal Government's approach to resolving the issues of long-term drinking water advisories (LTDWAs) across FN Reserves in Canada. The objective was to determine the acknowledgment and application of FN water principles and values within the federal LTDWA intervention framework. Financial and technical capacity was also explored. Results indicate that the Federal Government's approach to eradicating LTDWA in FN focuses on infrastructure technologies, overlooking other aspects of sustainable water supply, such as advanced source water protection. As such, it overlooked (1) FN water management principles and values; (2) FN strength and capacity to manage their water; and (3) First Nations' right to self-determination. It is argued that the poor attention to FN water principles and values, including the failure to address the issues of financial and technological capacity, undermines FN rights to self-determination and contributes to the continuous presence of LTDWAs in communities.

The climate crisis is having profound and far-reaching consequences for humanitarian Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) systems. Rising global temperatures, shifting precipitation patterns, and an increase in extreme weather events are placing unprecedented strain on WASH services, particularly in vulnerable humanitarian contexts. As climate-induced disruptions intensify, humanitarian actors face significant challenges in ensuring access to clean water, adequate sanitation, and hygiene services. Displaced populations, communities facing food insecurity, and regions already experiencing conflict are particularly at risk, as climate change exacerbates existing vulnerabilities. This paper outlines opportunities for research and innovation that will support humanitarian WASH to respond to the climate challenge. It is the result of a research process, incorporating a literature review, analysis of field data, expert insights, and survey responses. The study outlines eleven actionable research and innovation priorities for the humanitarian WASH sector related to improving water security, strengthening sanitation infrastructure, and enhancing public health responses. The findings emphasise the urgent need for climate-adaptive WASH solutions that not only address current risks but also build resilience to future climate shocks.

As exemplified during the COVID-19 pandemic, wastewater-based surveillance (WBS) can deliver near real-time, population-level pathogen data to guide public health action. Its impact, however, hinges on timely, transparent, and context-specific communication to stakeholders, including health authorities, policymakers, scientists, clinicians, and the public. This review examines current WBS communication practices, identifies persistent challenges, and proposes strategies to enhance relevance. Key challenges include data complexity, lack of standardised communication frameworks, ethical and privacy concerns, and variable stakeholder capabilities. The strategic use of digital platforms, such as dashboards, reports, press releases, and social media, alongside traditional media, can broaden reach and aid interpretation. Rapid, accurate, and empathetic communication is essential during health crises to maintain trust and counter misinformation. Standardised messaging, simplified data visualisations, and integration with clinical surveillance systems enhance credibility and usability. Strengthening cross-sector collaboration, improving data interpretation, and translating findings into actionable insights are essential to maximising the public health benefits of WBS. Immediate efforts should prioritise building globally coordinated, adaptive communication networks that can evolve alongside surveillance technologies and emerging health threats. Overall, the review underscores the key role of strategic communication in advancing WBS for global health preparedness and optimising public health actions.

Cystic echinococcosis (CE), caused by the dog tapeworm, Echinococcus granulosus, is a worldwide public health concern in different endemic countries. CE is transmitted through the ingestion of the parasite eggs excreted in dog feces. However, limited molecular parasitological evidence is available regarding the environmental sources of CE transmission to humans and animals. Water is probably one of the environmental sources of CE transmission; however, very few studies have investigated the presence of E. granulosus eggs in water. The aim of this study was to investigate the contamination of surface water sources with E. granulosus. Three hundred samples, each of 10 L volume, were collected from rivers, streams, agricultural fields, ponds, pools and marshes in six counties in the south of Kerman province, Iran. After filtration, the samples were analyzed by microscopy, PCR assay and nested-PCR-sequencing. Echinococcus granulosus DNA was detected in 1.7% of the samples, mainly collected from streams, agricultural lands and marshes in Jiroft and Anbarabad. PCR-sequencing identified the parasites as E. granulosus sensu stricto, G1 genotype. The findings of the study indicate the potential of water as an environmental source of human CE, suggesting the role of water in perpetuating the life cycle and transmission of E. granulosus eggs.

Access to safe drinking water and sanitation is a fundamental human right. However, in many regions, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, the prevalence of faecal contamination of water poses health risks. In Kenya, a substantial portion of the population relies on unimproved water sources that are susceptible to faecal contamination from various environmental pathways, including open drains, surface water, and inadequate sanitation facilities. The SaniPath study framework provided a robust approach for assessing faecal exposure pathways by examining the behaviors and environmental factors contributing to contamination and was used in Yatta Sub-County, Machakos County. The study revealed significant faecal contamination across various environmental pathways. The highest E. coli concentrations were found in raw produce (4.09 Log₁₀ CFU/mL) and public latrines (3.87 Log₁₀ CFU/mL), suggesting a serious public health risks associated with these exposure routes. Adults and children frequently encountered contaminated water and food. The reliance on contaminated drinking water sources (mean concentration of 3.11 Log₁₀ CFU/mL) and high usage of public latrines underscore the necessity for urgent improvements in sanitation infrastructure and hygiene practices to mitigate possible health risks associated with faecal contamination.

An increasing number of Americans rely on bottled water for household use, citing perceptions of poor in-home water quality and/or distrust of public water utilities. We analyzed in-home (n = 23), roadside spring (n = 4), and bottled drinking water (n = 36) in Central Appalachia. All samples were analyzed for regulated (bacteria, inorganic ions) and emerging (PFAS, microplastics) contaminants. Study survey results indicated the majority (83%) of participants viewed their in-home water quality as satisfactory or poor due to negative organoleptic perceptions. Coliform bacteria and sodium levels exceeding recommended levels were detected in 52% of home water samples, though detections varied by source, i.e., high sodium was more often observed in municipal water, while bacteria were more often observed in private system water. Bottled water samples did not exceed any regulations, though median microplastic concentrations were statistically higher (p = 0.001, Wilcoxon rank-sum test) than those recovered from in-home samples. PFAS compounds were detected in some in-home and bottled water samples at very low levels. While in general bottled water appears to be a safe drinking water source in these areas, the associated costs in time and money for lower-income households are considerable, and were estimated by participants as $68-400/month.

Clean and safe drinking water is essential for public health. Despite substantial infrastructure investments, ensuring water safety remains a challenge in Bhutan. The objective of the study is to provide a nationwide assessment of drinking water quality from 2017 to 2024, covering 20 dzongkhags samples from 31 urban (n = 20,982) and 242 rural (n = 14,361) surveillance sites. Data were retrieved from the Water Quality Monitoring Information System and analyzed for compliance with Bhutan Drinking Water Quality Standards and WHO guidelines. Only 52.8% of urban samples met the microbial standard (0 CFU/100 mL), with the Eastern region showing the lowest compliance. Residual chlorine compliance was critically low (11.9%), indicating inadequate disinfection. While turbidity met Bhutan's standard (95.2%), only 67.3% complied with WHO's health-based guideline (1 NTU). Other parameters, such as pH and conductivity, showed high compliance (>96%). Rural systems, largely untreated, showed better microbial compliance (70.1%), though methodological differences limit direct comparison. Health risk classification showed seasonal deterioration in safety, particularly during the monsoon in urban and rural areas. The study recommends shifting to risk-based water safety management, including upgrading treatment capacity, standardizing testing methodology, and implementing and auditing water safety plans to meet Bhutan's Five-Year Plan targets and Sustainable Development Goal 6.

Integration of water monitoring and disease reporting systems is crucial for addressing the interconnected challenges of human, animal, and environmental health. Enteric pathogens introduced into water systems via faecal contamination pose persistent public health risks, particularly in recreational and drinking water sources. Using Australia as a case study, this review examines data collection protocols, surveillance efforts, and reporting guidelines across health and water sectors, identifying gaps and opportunities for improving collaboration nationally and internationally. We collated national and jurisdictional notifiable disease guidelines and notification forms to evaluate data collection and reporting. Drinking and recreational water guidelines and public-facing water surveillance programmes were also reviewed to evaluate monitoring practices, data collection, and accessibility. Findings revealed disparities in pathogen reporting between water and health sectors. Most monitoring guidelines relied on outdated data, failing to reflect contemporary risks and analytical advancements. Clinical disease reporting also lacked adequate waterborne pathogen metadata collection, limiting outbreak tracking. We identified opportunities to enhance data integration and cross-sector collaboration, potentially enabling clinicians, decision-makers, and the public to utilise data on recreational water environments and waterborne infections more effectively. This review underscores the need for greater coordination between water and health sectors, with broader implications for global health surveillance.

Although disinfection has been successful in ensuring microbiological safety, there are growing concerns regarding the potential carcinogenic effects linked to exposure to disinfection by-products (DBPs). Research on the formation, toxicity, and prevalence of DBPs is still limited for many compounds. Consequently, this study seeks to utilize bibliometric analysis of literature on the associations between DBPs and cancer to elucidate the current research landscape and highlight areas of focus for future studies. A total of 1,045 publications were identified through an extensive search of the Scopus database spanning the years 1976-2023. The United States led with 345 publications (33.0%), followed by China with 236 publications (22.6%) and Canada with 69 publications (6.6%). The identified hot topics were categorized into three clusters: (i) mechanisms of DBPs formation resulting from the use of various disinfectants to treat water contaminated with emerging pollutants; (ii) the identification of different types of cancers associated with DBPs; and (iii) research on the genotoxicity and toxicity evaluation associated with DBPs. It would be wise to develop interdisciplinary research within international horizons. Moreover, the drinking and wastewater treatment standards need revision to include DBP limits.