2007 Public Lecture Series - Science at Your Service
May 17, 2007
WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE: But Is It Safe to Drink?
Life is dependent upon water. However, aquatic resources that are safe for human and animal consumption are rapidly dwindling due to urbanization, industrialization and human population growth. The move towards larger agricultural operations and -- in some cases -- an aging infrastructure also put significant pressures on precious water resources. Moreover, as recent outbreaks of disease illustrate, the dissemination of pathogenic organisms can happen very efficiently via a waterborne route. While public water supplies and recreational waters are routinely tested for the presence of bacteria indicative of fecal pollution, the absence of these indicator organisms does not always mean that a water source is free of pathogens. This lecture will describe some factors leading to waterborne disease outbreaks and explain the methods used to detect the sometimes-elusive pathogenic agents.