"Access to safe water is a fundamental human need and therefore a basic human right" --Kofi Annan, United Nations Secretary General Edited by two world-renowned scientists in the field, The Handbook of Water and Wastewater Microbiology provides a definitive and comprehensive coverage of water and wastewater microbiology. With contributions from experts from around the world, this book gives a global perspective on the important issues faced in the provision of safe drinking water, the problems of dealing with aquatic pollution and the processes involved in wastewater management. Starting with an introductory chapter of basic microbiological principles, The Handbook of Water and Wastewater Microbiology develops these principles further, ensuring that this is the essential text for process engineers with little microbiological experience and specialist microbiologists alike. Comprehensive selection of reviews dealing with drinking water and aquatic pollution Provides an understading of basic microbiology and how it is applied to engineering process solutions Suitable for all levels of knowledge in microbiology -from those with no background to specialists who require the depth of information
Heterotrophic Plate Counts and Drinking-water Safety provides a critical assessment of the role of the Heterotrophic Plate Count (HPC) measurement in drinking water quality management. It was developed from an Expert workshop of 32 scientists convened by the World Health Organization and the WHO/NSF International Collaborating Centre for Drinking Water Safety and Treatment in Geneva, Switzerland. Heterotrophs are organisms, including bacteria, yeasts and moulds, that require an external source of organic carbon for growth. The HPC test (or Standard Plate Count), applied in many variants, is the internationally accepted test for measuring the hetrotrophic microorganism population in drinking water, and also other media. It measures only a fraction of the microorganisms actually present and does not distinguish between pathogens and non-pathogens. High levels of microbial growth can affect the taste and odor of drinking water and may indicate the presence of nutrients and biofilms which could harbor pathogens, as well as the possibility that some event has interfered with the normal production of the drinking water. HPC counts also routinely increase in water that has been treated by an in-line device such as a carbon filter or softener, in water-dispensing devices and in bottled waters and indeed in all water that has suitable nutrients, does not have a residual disinfectant, and is kept under sufficient conditions. There is debate among health professionals as to the need, utility or quantitative basis for health-based standards or guidelines relating to HPC-measured regrowth in drinking water. The issues that were addressed in this work include: the relationship between HPC in drinking water (including that derived from in-line treatment systems, dispensers and bottled water) and health risks for the general public the role of HPC as an indirect indicator or index for pathogens of concern in drinking water the role of HPC in assessing the efficacy and proper functioning of water treatment and supply processes the relationship between HPC and the aesthetic acceptability of drinking water. Heterotrophic Plate Counts and Drinking-water Safety provides valuable information on the utility and the limitations of HPC data in the management and operation of piped water systems as well as other means of providing drinking water to the public. It is of particular value to piped public water suppliers and bottled water suppliers, manufacturers and users of water treatment and transmission equipment and inline treatment devices, water engineers, sanitary and clinical microbiologists, and national and local public health officials and regulators of drinking water quality.
Recent and forecasted advances in microbiology, molecular biology, and analytical chemistry have made it timely to reassess the current paradigm of relying predominantly or exclusively on traditional bacterial indicators for all types of waterborne pathogens. Nonetheless, indicator approaches will still be required for the foreseeable future because it is not practical or feasible to monitor for the complete spectrum of microorganisms that may occur in water, and many known pathogens are difficult to detect directly and reliably in water samples. This comprehensive report recommends the development and use of a "tool box" approach by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency and others for assessing microbial water quality in which available indicator organisms (and/or pathogens in some cases) and detection method(s) are matched to the requirements of a particular application. The report further recommends the use of a phased, three-level monitoring framework to support the selection of indicators and indicator approaches.Â
Microbiology of Drinking Water Production and Distribution addresses the public health aspects of drinking water treatment and distribution. It explains the different water treatment processes, such as pretreatment, coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, disinfection, and their impacts on waterborne microbial pathogens and parasites. Drinking water quality may be degraded in water distribution systems—microorganisms form biofilms within distribution systems that allow them to flourish. Various methodologies have been proposed to assess the bacterial growth potential in water distribution systems. Microbiology of Drinking Water Production and Distribution also places drinking water quality and public health issues in context; it addresses the effect of bioterrorism on drinking water safety, particularly safeguards that are in place to protect consumers against the microbial agents involved. In addition, the text delves into research on drinking water quality in developing countries and the low-cost treatment technologies that could save lives. The text also examines the microbiological water quality of bottled water, often misunderstood by the public at large.
Water Health is a component of Encyclopedia of Water Sciences, Engineering and Technology Resources in the global Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems (EOLSS), which is an integrated compendium of twenty one Encyclopedias. These volumes discuss matters of great relevance to our world on desalination which is a critically important as clearly the only possible means of producing fresh water from the sea for many parts of the world. The two volumes present state-of-the art subject matter of various aspects of water health such as: Water And Health; Classification Of Water-Related Disease; Burden Of Disease: Current Situation And Trends; Transmission And Prevention Of Water-Related Diseases; Goals Of Water Treatment And Disinfection: Reduction In Morbidity And Mortality; Diseases Associated With Drinking Water Supplies That Meet Treatment And Indicator Specifications; New And Emerging Waterborne Infectious Diseases; Safe Drinking Water In The Twenty-First Century: Priorities For Public Health; Health Impact And Economic Costs Of Poor Water And Sanitation; Water Safety Plans For Water Technologies; Hygiene Promotion; Institutional Issues In The Delivery Of Water And Sanitation Services; Economics And Financing In The Water Sector; Monitoring Drinking Water Supplies; Zoonoses Acquired Through Drinking Water; Microbiological Water Quality Assessment (Catchment To Tap); Epidemiologic Studies Of Disinfectants And Disinfectant By-Products; Health Effects Of Chemical Contamination Of Drinking Water Supplies; Unconventional Sources Of Water Supply; Point-Of-Use Water Treatment For Home And Travel; Treatment And Safe Storage Of Water In Households Without Piped Supplies Of Treated Water; Quantifying Health Risks In Wastewater Irrigation Impacts Of Eutrophication On The Safety Of Drinking And Recreational Water; Groundwater And Public Health; Aquaculture And Mariculture; Recreation In Natural Water Resources; Dry Sanitation Technologies - Can They Be Sustainable?; Constraints To Improving Water And Sanitation Services; Human Health In Water Resources Development; Toxic Cyanobacteria; Multiple Uses Of Water And Human Health; Health Impact Assessment; Water Reclamation And Reuse; Role Of Water Reuse In Management Of Urban Water Resources; The Uses Of Recycled Water; Coming To Terms With Nature: Water Reuse New Paradigm Towards Integrated Water Resources Management; Helminth Ova Control In Wastewater And Sludge For Agricultural Reuse. These volumes are aimed at the following five major target audiences: University and College Students Educators, Professional Practitioners, Research Personnel and Policy and Decision Makers
This volume describes the methods used in the surveillance of drinking water quality in the light of the special problems of small-community supplies, particularly in developing countries, and outlines the strategies necessary to ensure that surveillance is effective.
Wastewater Microbiology focuses on microbial contaminants found in wastewater, methods of detection for these contaminants, and methods of cleansing water of microbial contamination. This classic reference has now been updated to focus more exclusively on issues particular to wastewater, with new information on fecal contamination and new molecular methods. The book features new methods to determine cell viability/activity in environmental samples; a new section on bacterial spores as indicators; new information covering disinfection byproducts, UV disinfection, and photoreactivation; and much more. A PowerPoint of figures from the book is available at ftp://ftp.wiley.com/public/sci_tech_med/wastewater_microbiology.
