Pathogens in urban wastewaters suitable for reuse

Abstract

Urban wastewaters, including domestic wastewater, grey water and roof-collected rain water, are all potential sources of water, which can be reused in an effort to conserve limited water resources. Urban wastewaters may contain a range of pathogenic microorganisms, which are of concern for water reuse due to the potential for pathogen transmission from reuse applications. In particular, regardless of the source, grey water is shown to consistently contain bacteria of faecal origin. Most potentially harmful species occur at relatively low concentration such that only those with low infectious doses are likely to be of real concern. Example species include Campylobacter jejuni, shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli and Shigella spp.

Keywords:

• pathogen
• grey water
• roof-collected rain water
• domestic wastewater
• water reuse

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to express thanks to the Engineering and Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC), UK.