Modelling microbial health risk of wastewater reuse: A systems perspective.
There is a widespread need for the use of quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) to determine reclaimed water quality for specific uses, however neither faecal indicator levels nor pathogen concentrations alone are adequate for assessing exposure health risk. The aim of this study was to build a conceptual model representing factors contributing to the microbiological health risks of reusing water treated in maturation ponds. This paper describes the development of an unparameterised model that provides a visual representation of theoretical constructs and variables of interest. Information was collected from the peer-reviewed literature and through consultation with experts from regulatory authorities and academic disciplines. In this paper we explore how, considering microbial risk as a modular system, following the QMRA framework enables incorporation of the many factors influencing human exposure and dose response, to better characterise likely human health impacts. By using and expanding upon the QMRA framework we deliver new insights into this important field of environmental exposures. We present a conceptual model of health risk of microbial exposure which can be used for maturation ponds and, more importantly, as a generic tool to assess health risk in diverse wastewater reuse scenarios.
Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Gardens Point Campus, 2 George Street, Brisbane, Queensland 4000, Australia; Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), Queensland University of Technology, 60 Musk Avenue, Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059, Australia. Electronic address: d.beaudequin@qut.edu.au.
Denise
D
Beaudequin
Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Gardens Point Campus, 2 George Street, Brisbane, Queensland 4000, Australia; Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), Queensland University of Technology, 60 Musk Avenue, Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059, Australia. Electronic address: fiona.harden@qut.edu.au.
Fiona
F
Harden
School of Medicine, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Parklands Drive, Southport, Queensland 4222, Australia; Smartwater Research Centre, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Edmund Rice Dr, Southport, Queensland 4215, Australia. Electronic address: a.roiko@griffith.edu.au.
Anne
A
Roiko
School of Natural Sciences, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, 170 Kessels Road, Nathan, Queensland 4111, Australia; Smartwater Research Centre, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Edmund Rice Dr, Southport, Queensland 4215, Australia. Electronic address: h.stratton@griffith.edu.au.
Helen
H
Stratton
Griffith School of Engineering, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Parklands Drive, Southport, Queensland 4222, Australia; Smartwater Research Centre, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Edmund Rice Dr, Southport, Queensland 4215, Australia. Electronic address: c.lemckert@griffith.edu.au.
Charles
C
Lemckert
Science and Engineering Faculty, Queensland University of Technology, Gardens Point Campus, 2 George Street, Brisbane, Queensland 4000, Australia; Institute for Future Environments (IFE), Queensland University of Technology, Gardens Point Campus, 2 George Street, Brisbane, Queensland 4000, Australia. Electronic address: k.mengersen@qut.edu.au.
Kerrie
K
Mengersen
D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D059027:Recycling / Q000379:methods; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid / Q000379:methods*; D062065:Wastewater / Q000382:microbiology*; D014871:Water Microbiology; D018508:Water Purification / Q000592:standards*
D062065:Wastewater
Complex systems; Conceptual model; Health risk assessment; Quantitative microbial risk assessment; Waste stabilisation pond; Water recycling