Journal article
Microbial risks from rainwater tanks in South East Queensland
Water, Vol.36(8), pp.80-85
2009
Abstract
Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (QMRA) analysis was used to quantify the risk of infection associated with the exposure to pathogens from potable and non-potable uses of roof-harvested rainwater in South East Queensland (SEQ). A total of 84 rainwater samples were analysed for the presence of faecal indicators (using culture based methods) and zoonotic bacterial and protozoan pathogens using binary and quantitative PCR (qPCR). The concentrations of Salmonella invA, and Giardia lamblia β-giradin genes ranged from 65-380 genomic units/1000 mL and 9-57 genomic units/1000 mL of water, respectively. After converting gene copies to cell/cyst number, the risk of infection from G. lamblia and Salmonella spp. associated with the use of rainwater for bi-weekly garden hosing was calculated to be below the threshold value of 1 extra infection per 10,000 persons per year. However, the estimated risk of infection from drinking the rainwater daily was 44-250 (for G. lamblia) and 85-520 (for Salmonella spp.) infections per 10,000 persons per year. Since this health risk seems higher than that expected from the reported incidences of gastroenteritis, the assumptions used to estimate these infection risks are critically discussed. Nevertheless, it would seem prudent to disinfect rainwater for potable use.
Details
- Title
- Microbial risks from rainwater tanks in South East Queensland
- Authors
- Warish Ahmed (Author) - Queensland University of TechnologyA Vieritz (Author) - DERMTed Gardner (Author) - Queensland University of TechnologyA Goonetilleke (Author) - Queensland University of Technology
- Publication details
- Water, Vol.36(8), pp.80-85
- Publisher
- Australian Water Association
- Date published
- 2009
- ISSN
- 0310-0367
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99450687102621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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