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Updated: Jun 25, 2026
10:43
Unraveling the Unseen Players in the Ocean - A Field Guide to Water Chemistry and Marine Microbiology
Published on: November 5, 2014
[Indicators of water microbial pollution: problems and perspectives]
A Nusca1, D D'Alessandro, E Funari
1Dipartimento Ambiente e Connessa Prevenzione Primaria, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Roma. assunta.nusca@iss.it
Annali Di Igiene : Medicina Preventiva E Di Comunita
|February 26, 2009
Summary
Conventional fecal contamination indicators may not reliably assess water quality due to emerging pathogens. New methods are needed to ensure safe drinking water and prevent outbreaks.
Area of Science:
- Environmental microbiology
- Public health
- Water quality assessment
Background:
- Conventional fecal contamination indicators are crucial for water quality evaluation.
- Recent waterborne outbreaks in developed countries challenge the reliability of these indicators.
- Emerging pathogens, more resistant to disinfection, are implicated in these outbreaks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To address the limitations of conventional fecal indicators in water quality assessment.
- To explore new approaches for ensuring microbiological water safety.
- To investigate the role of emerging pathogens in waterborne disease outbreaks.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing water quality monitoring protocols.
- Analysis of recent waterborne disease outbreaks and their causes.
- Evaluation of alternative methods for pathogen detection and water safety planning.
Main Results:
- Conventional indicators may fail to detect certain resistant pathogens.
- Strict regulations do not always prevent outbreaks linked to novel microorganisms.
- Existing methods may be insufficient for rapid detection of inadequate water quality.
Conclusions:
- A revision of conventional indicator functions is necessary.
- Development of specific methods for pathogen detection is crucial.
- Implementation of Water Safety Plans is recommended for comprehensive water safety.
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