Contamination of groundwater by microorganisms and risk management: Conceptual model, existing data, and challenges

IF 4.9 Q2 ENGINEERING, ENVIRONMENTAL

Groundwater for Sustainable Development Pub Date : 2025-01-13 DOI:10.1016/j.gsd.2025.101408

A.J. Natishah , Melvin S. Samuel , Karrun Velmurugan , S.R. Showparnickaa , S.M. Indumathi , Mohan Kumar

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Abstract

Groundwater, a crucial resource for drinking water and irrigation, is increasingly threatened by microbial contamination from bacteria and viruses, presenting serious public health challenges. This review offers a thorough exploration of the sources and pathways through which bacteria like fecal coliforms and enteric viruses infiltrate groundwater, highlighting key risk factors such as land use, poor sanitation, and climate change. It assesses both conventional and innovative risk management strategies, with a special emphasis on Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (QMRA) as a tool to gauge their effectiveness. The review aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) concerning clean water and health, offering insights on how microbial contamination can be reduced to meet global targets. Furthermore, it addresses the specific difficulties faced by Small Water Systems (SWSs) in hazard identification, pathogen monitoring, and QMRA implementation, proposing an enhanced QMRA framework for these systems. By identifying knowledge gaps and suggesting future research directions, this review seeks to advance understanding of bacterial and viral contamination in groundwater, contributing to its safer and more sustainable use.

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来源期刊

Groundwater for Sustainable Development Social Sciences-Geography, Planning and Development

CiteScore

11.50

自引率

10.20%

发文量

152

期刊介绍： Groundwater for Sustainable Development is directed to different stakeholders and professionals, including government and non-governmental organizations, international funding agencies, universities, public water institutions, public health and other public/private sector professionals, and other relevant institutions. It is aimed at professionals, academics and students in the fields of disciplines such as: groundwater and its connection to surface hydrology and environment, soil sciences, engineering, ecology, microbiology, atmospheric sciences, analytical chemistry, hydro-engineering, water technology, environmental ethics, economics, public health, policy, as well as social sciences, legal disciplines, or any other area connected with water issues. The objectives of this journal are to facilitate: • The improvement of effective and sustainable management of water resources across the globe. • The improvement of human access to groundwater resources in adequate quantity and good quality. • The meeting of the increasing demand for drinking and irrigation water needed for food security to contribute to a social and economically sound human development. • The creation of a global inter- and multidisciplinary platform and forum to improve our understanding of groundwater resources and to advocate their effective and sustainable management and protection against contamination. • Interdisciplinary information exchange and to stimulate scientific research in the fields of groundwater related sciences and social and health sciences required to achieve the United Nations Millennium Development Goals for sustainable development.