Origins and assessments of microbiological risks to drinking water in watershed under climate change

Abstract:

In the context of global warming, the rising frequency of extreme weather events, including high temperatures, rainstorms, and droughts, will directly or indirectly increase the risks of pathogenic microorganisms entering drinking water systems and source waters. This is attributable to an increase in terrestrial inputs or alterations to the conditions that facilitate microbial survival and growth. It is therefore imperative to give priority to the issue of drinking water biosafety. The development of novel pathogen detection methods and risk assessment models enables a more comprehensive understanding and assessment of the microbiological risks associated with drinking water in watersheds under climate change. This review outlines the sources of microbiological risks associated with drinking water in watersheds experiencing extreme climatic conditions and summarizes various microbial contaminations and their risks to human health. Furthermore, it emphasizes the significance of high-throughput quantitative microbial risk detection methods and assessment models in the control of microbiological risks to drinking water. Finally, it provides novel insights into the effective management and control of pathogenic microorganisms in drinking water under climate change.