Characterization of Bacterial Impairment along the Rio Grande near Albuquerque
Start Date
8-11-2017 1:30 PM
End Date
8-11-2017 5:30 PM
Abstract
Bacterial surface water impairment due to fecal contamination is a worldwide concern. Waterborne disease (predominantly due to fecal contamination) accounts for 4 billion episodes of illness and 2.2 million deaths yearly according to the World Health Organization. In the US, nearly 178,000 miles of waterways are considered impaired for pathogens, of which 160,000 miles are considered impaired for E. coli and fecal coliform bacteria, which are indicators of fecal contamination and health risk. Exposure to humans occurs through contact with contaminated waters and consumption of crops irrigated with contaminated water. In arid regions (~40% of Earth’s land, holding ~1/3 of human population and ~1/2 of arable land and livestock) where populations depend on surface water, waterborne pathogens make stream water dangerous for agricultural and consumptive uses. Lack of knowledge of pathogens’ response to environmental conditions and the limitations of conventional testing (18-24 hours of sample incubation time) means we do not have a way to predict when contaminant levels will be too great for humans. In the context of decreasing groundwater recharge and streamflow in arid regions combined with growing populations, this issue will demand more attention worldwide as waste waters become less dilute and surface water demands increase.
Characterization of Bacterial Impairment along the Rio Grande near Albuquerque
Bacterial surface water impairment due to fecal contamination is a worldwide concern. Waterborne disease (predominantly due to fecal contamination) accounts for 4 billion episodes of illness and 2.2 million deaths yearly according to the World Health Organization. In the US, nearly 178,000 miles of waterways are considered impaired for pathogens, of which 160,000 miles are considered impaired for E. coli and fecal coliform bacteria, which are indicators of fecal contamination and health risk. Exposure to humans occurs through contact with contaminated waters and consumption of crops irrigated with contaminated water. In arid regions (~40% of Earth’s land, holding ~1/3 of human population and ~1/2 of arable land and livestock) where populations depend on surface water, waterborne pathogens make stream water dangerous for agricultural and consumptive uses. Lack of knowledge of pathogens’ response to environmental conditions and the limitations of conventional testing (18-24 hours of sample incubation time) means we do not have a way to predict when contaminant levels will be too great for humans. In the context of decreasing groundwater recharge and streamflow in arid regions combined with growing populations, this issue will demand more attention worldwide as waste waters become less dilute and surface water demands increase.
