Developing an easy-to-apply model for identifying relevant pathogen pathways into surface waters used for...

Area of Science:

• Environmental microbiology
• Water quality assessment
• Public health

Background:

• Recreational swimming in urban surface waters poses health risks due to pathogen contamination.
• Pathogens enter water bodies via point sources (wastewater treatment plants, sewer overflows) and non-point sources (surface runoff).
• Accurate identification of pollution pathways is crucial for resource management, especially with limited local data.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an accessible model for estimating pathogen pathways into surface waters.
• To identify the primary sources impacting microbial water quality in urban areas.
• To support local authorities in prioritizing pollution control efforts.

Main Methods:

• Development of a simplified, easy-to-apply model for microbial pollution assessment.
• Utilized case study data from a river arm in western Germany.
• Incorporated literature data to supplement missing local information for Escherichia coli and intestinal enterococci.

Main Results:

• Wastewater treatment plant effluents and overland flow significantly impact microbial surface water quality.
• Combined sewer overflows are the primary source of microbial pollution during rainy weather.
• The model successfully identified key pathogen pathways despite data limitations.

Conclusions:

• The developed model provides a practical approach for assessing microbial water quality in areas with data gaps.
• Identifying and mitigating pollution from wastewater treatment plants, overland flow, and sewer overflows is essential for safe recreational water use.
• Findings aid decision-makers in targeting interventions to reduce pathogen sources within catchment areas.