Journal of water and health最新文献

This review explores our understanding of Cryptosporidium species and Giardia duodenalis distribution in Middle East and North African (MENA) water resources. Results emphasize that Cryptosporidium species (sp.) and G. duodenalis (oo)cysts are present in distinct categories of water in ten MENA countries. Cryptosporidium sp. proportional prevalence in the MENA region was 24.5% (95% CI 16.3-33.8), while G. duodenalis prevalence was 37.7% (95% CI 21.9-55.1). Raw wastewater and surface water were the water categories most significantly impacted. Both parasites were reported in the various types of MENA drinking waters. The most frequent species/genotypes reported were C. hominis, C. parvum, and G. duodenalis assemblage A. Despite the high prevalence of (oo)cysts reported, we should consider the absence of waterborne outbreaks. This indicates significant underestimation and underreporting of both parasites in MENA. Stakeholders should apply water contamination legislation to eradicate Cryptosporidium sp. and G. duodenalis (oo)cysts from water resources/categories.

Escherichia coli and total coliforms are important tools for identifying potential faecal contamination in drinking water. However, metagenomics offers a powerful approach for delving deeper into a bacterial community when E. coli or total coliforms are detected. Metagenomics can identify microbes native to water systems, track community changes and potential pathogens introduced by contamination events, and evaluate the effectiveness of treatment processes. Here, we demonstrate how the dual application of traditional monitoring practices and metagenomics can improve monitoring and surveillance for water resource management. The robustness of long-read metagenomics across replicates is demonstrated by the effect and interaction between manganese filters and bacterial communities, as well as the impact of chlorination after coliform detection. These examples reveal how metagenomics can identify the complex bacterial communities in the distribution system and the source waters used to supply drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs). The knowledge gained increases confidence in identified causes and mitigations of potential contamination events. By exploring bacterial communities, we can gain additional insights into the impact of faecal contamination events and treatment processes. This insight enables more precise remediation actions and enhances confidence in communicating health risks to drinking water operators and the public.

The study area covers the Banaz (Usak) basin located in the Aegean Region in the western part of Turkey. Metamorphic, sedimentary, ultramafic, and volcanic rocks are dominant in the basin. The groundwaters in the study area are used for domestic, irrigational, and industrial purposes. Hence, the groundwater chemistry and major geochemical processes in the region were determined. The dominance of major elements was of the order of Ca²⁺ > Mg²⁺ > Na⁺ > K⁺ and HCO₃^- > CO₃^- > Cl^- > SO₄^2-. Piper, Durov, Chadha, and Radial plots identified generally Ca²⁺-Mg²⁺-HCO₃^- type waters as the dominant types of water in this area. In terms of physical parameters in the basin, the waters are suitable for drinking. However, arsenic content in Yesilyurt and Corum settlements exceeds the limit values of drinking water standards. In addition, the ammonium value is high in the water sample in the Corum region. Isotope contents in water samples from 2008 to 2023 were evaluated in the study area. The waters in the basin are of meteoric origin according to their stable isotope content. Tritium content in the plain waters indicates recent recharge. Additionally, for children, As and U elements were identified as risky with oral intake and As with dermal contact.

This research assessed water quality, based on the purpose of water consumption, in households in the municipality of Barbaza, the Province of Antique, Philippines, according to the national water quality guidelines. The effects of the empirical/traditional water use actions taken by local people on the quality of the water they use were investigated through a descriptive study using water quality measurements. Most of the drinking water in the community did not meet the required standards of pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), or coliform. Tap water and well water samples generally met the pH and TDS standards. However, Escherichia coli (E. coli) and coliform were detected, and nitrogen pollution in well water was also confirmed. Local practices, such as using old clothes as filters for well pumps, increased the coliform concentration from 0-10 CFU/mL to too numerous to count (TNTC) levels of more than 100 CFU/mL. Storing well water in a bucket also affected both E. coli and coliform concentrations. Such empirical/traditional water use actions create a high risk of exposing local people to harmful microorganisms. This research integrated citizen science into the methodology for local water management, which could assist governors, practitioners, and citizens, particularly in Southeast Asia, where strong community relationships exist.

The neutron activation of stable isotopes in environmental matrices, such as soil and groundwater, is a critical aspect of assessing the impact of radionuclide production facilities on the surrounding ecosystem. The envisioned Low-Energy Radioactive Ion Beams (LERIB) facility at the iThemba LABS, South Africa is anticipated to generate significant sources of ionising radiation. The study investigated the possible repercussions of neutron irradiation stemming from the facility, focusing on the activation of stable isotopic compositions in the environment. The investigation employed a combination of experimental and analytical techniques to characterize the neutron activation products in soil and groundwater samples collected from the vicinity. Samples were collected from designated areas for background radiological measurements and were irradiated with neutrons for a period of 1 h. The induced radioactivity measured by the High Purity Germanium detector included ²⁴Na, ²²Na, ⁵⁴Mn, ⁵²Mn, and ⁴⁶Sc. The application of Darcy's law for groundwater velocity suggests that radionuclides in groundwater will migrate at an average flow velocity of 0.8 m/day. The isotopes with longer half-lives have count rates at background concentrations; therefore, environmental impacts on the site and surrounding communities might be minimal.

This study evaluated pesticide exposure practices, and the potential health risks of drinking water and consuming fish from the cultivated wetlands of Ndop, Cameroon. Six hundred and twenty-six questionnaires were conveniently administered to farmers (≥ 26 years old) in a cross-sectional study to assess exposure practices and dietary risks. The Chi-square and Pearson correlation coefficients were used to establish relationships between variables. The PRIMET model was used to predict a worst-case dietary risk. The pesticide handling practices of 90% of farmers were inadequate. Chlorpyriphos, lambda-cyhalothrin, fipronil, and paraquat dichloride posed a possible dietary risk at recommended and applied doses, with chlorpyrifos having the highest exposure toxicity ratio (ETR_diet = 36.72). Paraquat dichloride, fipronil, and lambda-cyhalothrin posed a possible dietary risk at 26.3%, 58.3%, and 62.2% of their recommended concentrations, respectively. Remarkably, the dietary risk for cypermethrin was acceptable at 5.8 times its recommended dose (ETR_dietR = 0.29). The significant positive correlation (p = 0.000) between PEC_fish and ETR_diet, suggests a possible health risk of consuming fish and drinking water harvested from the wetlands, thus the need for replacing pesticides posing possible risks at lower or recommended concentrations with less toxic alternatives and to train farmers on pesticide application practices.

The carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) pose a pressing public health concern. Here, we investigated the frequency of CRE bacteria, carbapenemase-encoding genes, and the molecular epidemiology of carbapenemase-resistant Escherichia coli in wastewater resources and healthy carriers in Iran. Out of 617 Enterobacterales bacteria, 24% were carbapenem-resistant. The prevalence of CRE bacteria in livestock and poultry wastewater at 34% and hospital wastewater at 33% was significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) than those in healthy carriers and municipal wastewater at 22 and 17%, respectively. The overall colonization rate of CRE in healthy individuals was 22%. Regarding individual Enterobacterales species, the following percentages of isolates were found to be CRE: E. coli (18%), Citrobacter spp. (24%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (28%), Proteus spp. (40%), Enterobacter spp. (25%), Yersinia spp. (17%), Hafnia spp. (31%), Providencia spp. (21%), and Serratia spp. (36%). The bla_OXA-48 gene was detected in 97% of CRE isolates, while the bla_NDM and bla_VIM genes were detected in 24 and 3% of isolates, respectively. The B2 phylogroup was the most prominent group identified in carbapenem-resistant E. coli isolates, accounting for 80% of isolates. High prevalence of CRE with transmissible carbapenemase genes among healthy people and wastewater in Iran underscores the need for assertive measures to prevent further dissemination.

The anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) is a promising technology for not only water reclamation but also virus removal; however, the virus removal efficiency of AnMBR has not been fully investigated. Additionally, the removal efficiency estimation requires datasets of virus concentration in influent and effluent, but its monitoring is not easy to perform for practical operation because the virus quantification process is generally time-consuming and requires specialized equipment and trained personnel. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to identify the key, monitorable variables in AnMBR and establish the data-driven models using the selected variables to predict virus removal efficiency. We monitored operational and environmental conditions of AnMBR in Sendai, Japan and measured virus concentration once a week for six months. Spearman's rank correlation analysis revealed that the pH values of influent and mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) were strongly correlated with the log reduction value of pepper mild mottle virus, indicating that electrostatic interactions played a dominant role in AnMBR virus removal. Among the candidate models, the random forest model using selected variables including influent and MLSS pH outperformed the others. This study has demonstrated the potential of AnMBR as a viable option for municipal wastewater reclamation with high microbial safety.

Onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTSs) and private wells are commonly used in Eastern North Carolina, USA. Water from private wells is not required to be tested after the initial startup, and thus persons using these wells may experience negative health outcomes if their water is contaminated with waste-related pollutants including bacteria, nitrate or synthetic chemicals such as hexafluoropropylne oxide dimer acid and its ammonium salt (GenX). Water samples from 18 sites with OWTSs and groundwater wells were collected for nitrate, Escherichia coli (E. coli), total coliform, and GenX concentration analyses. Results showed that none of the 18 water supplies were positive for E. coli, nitrate concentrations were all below the maximum contaminant level of 10 mg L^-1, and one well had 1 MPN 100 mL^-1 of total coliform. However, GenX was detected in wastewater collected from all 18 septic tanks and 22% of the water supplies tested had concentrations that exceeded the health advisory levels for GenX. Water supplies with low concentrations of traditionally tested for pollutants (nitrate, E. coli) may still pose health risks due to elevated concentrations of emerging contaminants like GenX and thus more comprehensive and routine water testing is suggested for this and similar persistent compounds.

Drawing on responses from 238 beachgoers who have visited a Georgia (U.S. state) beach in the past three years, this study asks respondents about their knowledge of beach water quality monitoring, awareness of beach health advisories, perception of water quality, and expected responses upon learning of a beach's water pollution advisory. Binomial logistic regression finds that the only demographic predictor of respondents who would completely stop visiting a beach with an advisory is whether the respondent is a visitor or resident (year-round or part-time). Nearly 40% of visitors would not come to a beach with an advisory compared to 13.4% of residents. Most respondents report they would continue to visit a beach but would stay out of the water and stop harvesting seafood from the beach's waters. More than a third (36.1%), however, are unaware Georgia regularly monitors beach water for water quality, and 41.2% have never read a beach sign warning of contaminated water or seafood. Alarmingly, just over half view aesthetic factors such as no litter, no odor, and clear water as criteria for defining whether beach water is safe.