Water Quality Monitoring
Government agencies and community science groups conduct monitoring to track changes to water quality and the environment. While monitoring fecal indicator bacteria like E. coli can indicate fecal pollution problems, it does not identify sources for assessing environmental and human health risks and fixing problems. It is often critical to first detect human sewage sources to reduce risks from pathogens, nutrients, toxic chemicals, pharmaceuticals, microplastics, and the spread of antimicrobial resistance. However, animals like livestock, pets, and waterfowl can also be important sources of fecal pollution.
Edge-Water DNA can determine if high numbers of E. coli are coming from a human sewage or animal fecal pollution source. MST techniques can help target the most cost-effective remedial actions. They can also help evaluate the success of wastewater upgrades and livestock best management practices.
Some water quality surveillance microbial source tracking studies:
