The impact of urban discharges on the health-related microbiological quality of untreated surface water: can catchment management solve the problem?
Results showed that surface resource water quality in the study catchment was generally of a poor health-related microbiological water quality. This was due to poor quality discharges received from urban developments in the catchment. The quality results implied that several water uses in the catchment would impact negatively on the health of the users. Current developments in setting Resource Quality Objectives to manage the quality of the resources involved do not provide for the various water uses. The particular Catchment Management Agencies would, therefore, not be in a position to judge the health-related status of their surface water resource quality objectively. To alleviate this problem, tentative water-use classifications as well as microbiological criteria are proposed.
Jagals
P
P
Unit for Water and Health, Technikon Free State, Private Bag X20539, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa. jagals@tofs.ac.za
Griesel
M
M
D002947:Cities; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D004755:Enterobacteriaceae / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity; D006801:Humans; D011634:Public Health; D011786:Quality Control; D011891:Rain; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014871:Water Microbiology; D014872:Water Movements; D014881:Water Supply