Conclusions - Waterborne Pathogens: Detection Methods and Applications - page 366

CHAPTER TWELVE
Conclusions
Helen Bridle
Heriot-Watt University, Institute of Biological Chemistry, Biophysics and Bioengineering, Riccarton,
Edinburgh, Scotland
The contents of previous chapters in this topic have introduced waterborne
pathogens and the requirements for monitoring before discussing the state-
of-the-art in sample processing and detection. Many of the technologies
presented have been shown to perform well in laboratory conditions, with
far fewer examples having actually translated into real-world practice. The
last chapter considered the market perspective and what challenges these
new monitoring methods face in reaching widespread adoption in the
water industry. In this final chapter, a summary and conclusions are provided
along with a look to the future identifying research needs and what can
be expected in terms of development of waterborne pathogen monitoring
technology in the coming years.
12.1. SUMMARY
Although it was announced in spring 2012 that the Millenium Devel-
opment Goal, of halving the proportion of people without access to an
improved water source, had been achieved, nearly a billion people still lack
access to safe drinking water. Such water, which poses no significant risk to
health during a lifetime of consumption, is considered an essential human
right. Contaminated drinking water causes huge negative economic and
health repercussions. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that
microbial contamination of water is the primary concern in both develop-
ing and developed countries.
Waterborne pathogens include viruses, bacteria, and parasites, several of
which are highly infectious, robust, and long-lived in the environment as well
as being resistant to standard methods of water treatment. Viruses are the
smallest of these pathogens, typically around 20-300 nm in diameter, which
makes them difficult both to remove and detect. Additionally, viruses are highly
infectious and often long-lived in the aqueous environment, with norovirus
for example, having been shown to remain infectious after over 2 months in