Water is an essential resource for human life, yet safe water for domestic use remains scarce, especially for some communities in low- and middle-income countries. Approximately 785 million people still rely on unimproved drinking water sources, with sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia bearing the majority of this burden. A primary cause of water pollution in rural areas is fecal contamination from human or animal waste, introducing harmful bacteria into water sources. Water utilities have struggled to sustainably deliver clean water to millions, particularly in rural communities.
To effectively manage microbial contamination of drinking water, a combination of strategies has been implemented. Cost-effective methods such as sanitary inspections coupled with hydrogen sulfide (H2S) strip tests have been used to identify fecal contamination in water sources. Advanced techniques, including microbial source tracking markers, help pinpoint the origin of contamination, enabling targeted intervention strategies for prevention. Innovative technologies like the microorganism-enhanced multiple soil layer (MEMSL) system have also demonstrated efficiency in rural wastewater treatment, ensuring satisfactory effluent quality before discharge into natural water bodies at low maintenance costs.
Understanding the causes of fecal coliform contamination, such as poor sanitary practices and unsafe fecal sludge management, is crucial for designing effective water and sanitation safety plans to improve public health and nutrition in these communities. According to the 2021 UNESCO World Water Development Report, approximately 829,000 people die annually from diarrheal diseases due to contaminated drinking water, inadequate sanitation facilities, and poor hygiene. This is a leading cause of death among children under the age of five in low-income countries. Exposure to microbially contaminated water plays a significant role in these deaths, with diarrheal diseases being linked to malnutrition, reduced immunity, and stunted growth in children.
Common pathogens associated with these diseases include viral agents such as norovirus, rotavirus, astrovirus, and adenovirus; bacterial pathogens such as Salmonella, Campylobacter, Escherichia coli, and Shigella; and parasitic pathogens including Cryptosporidium, Giardia, and Entamoeba. This Research Topic will highlight recent research on water quality, monitoring, and surveillance of wastewater pollution and microbial contamination of water resources used for domestic purposes.
This Research Topic welcomes Original Research, Review, Methods and Perspective articles on the following subjects, but not limited to:
• Microbial water quality assessment and monitoring techniques;
• Sources and pathways of fecal contamination in water bodies;
• Use of advanced microbial source tracking methods;
• Low-cost technologies for detecting and mitigating microbial contamination;
• Health impacts of microbial contaminants in drinking water;
• Predictive modeling of microbial contamination and associated health risks;
• Innovative wastewater treatment solutions for rural communities.
Water is an essential resource for human life, yet safe water for domestic use remains scarce, especially for some communities in low- and middle-income countries. Approximately 785 million people still rely on unimproved drinking water sources, with sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia bearing the majority of this burden. A primary cause of water pollution in rural areas is fecal contamination from human or animal waste, introducing harmful bacteria into water sources. Water utilities have struggled to sustainably deliver clean water to millions, particularly in rural communities.
To effectively manage microbial contamination of drinking water, a combination of strategies has been implemented. Cost-effective methods such as sanitary inspections coupled with hydrogen sulfide (H2S) strip tests have been used to identify fecal contamination in water sources. Advanced techniques, including microbial source tracking markers, help pinpoint the origin of contamination, enabling targeted intervention strategies for prevention. Innovative technologies like the microorganism-enhanced multiple soil layer (MEMSL) system have also demonstrated efficiency in rural wastewater treatment, ensuring satisfactory effluent quality before discharge into natural water bodies at low maintenance costs.
Understanding the causes of fecal coliform contamination, such as poor sanitary practices and unsafe fecal sludge management, is crucial for designing effective water and sanitation safety plans to improve public health and nutrition in these communities. According to the 2021 UNESCO World Water Development Report, approximately 829,000 people die annually from diarrheal diseases due to contaminated drinking water, inadequate sanitation facilities, and poor hygiene. This is a leading cause of death among children under the age of five in low-income countries. Exposure to microbially contaminated water plays a significant role in these deaths, with diarrheal diseases being linked to malnutrition, reduced immunity, and stunted growth in children.
Common pathogens associated with these diseases include viral agents such as norovirus, rotavirus, astrovirus, and adenovirus; bacterial pathogens such as Salmonella, Campylobacter, Escherichia coli, and Shigella; and parasitic pathogens including Cryptosporidium, Giardia, and Entamoeba. This Research Topic will highlight recent research on water quality, monitoring, and surveillance of wastewater pollution and microbial contamination of water resources used for domestic purposes.
This Research Topic welcomes Original Research, Review, Methods and Perspective articles on the following subjects, but not limited to:
• Microbial water quality assessment and monitoring techniques;
• Sources and pathways of fecal contamination in water bodies;
• Use of advanced microbial source tracking methods;
• Low-cost technologies for detecting and mitigating microbial contamination;
• Health impacts of microbial contaminants in drinking water;
• Predictive modeling of microbial contamination and associated health risks;
• Innovative wastewater treatment solutions for rural communities.