Water Quality Monitoring Programs Research Articles

Deriving water quality index using site-specific water quality parameter guidelines for real-time water quality stations

ABSTRACT The Newfoundland and Labrador real-time water quality (RTWQ) monitoring program operates a network of surface water monitoring stations, measuring physical water quality parameters in near real time. The network generates vast amounts of data that are too complex for many stakeholders to interpret. While the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment water quality index (WQI) has been a valuable tool to simplify and summarize the ambient quality of water, its usage in RTWQ is virtually non-existent. This is largely due to the lack of alignment/congruency between the limited number of parameters from real-time networks and the availability of aquatic water quality guidelines. This paper is the first attempt to outline a method of utilizing real-time water quality data to generate site-specific water quality guidelines using the background concentration method. Using these guidelines, we compute weekly WQI scores for select monitoring stations and examine various influences on the scores, including precipitation. The influence of each parameter on the WQI score is also plotted in the computation of the RTWQ WQI. Comparison is made between the yearly scores of the Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators WQI and RTWQ WQI. The paper also discusses the challenges and benefits of using this methodology as well as the sensitivity of WQI scoring at stations with various anthropogenic influences.

Tidal levels significantly change bacterial community composition in a tropical estuary during the dry season

AbstractEstuaries are usually characterized by strong spatial and temporal variability in water physicochemical conditions and are often largely affected by human activities. One important source of variability is caused by tides that can swiftly alter not only physicochemical conditions but also the abundance and composition of the biota. The effect of the diurnal tidal cycle on microbial community composition during different seasons remains uncertain, although this knowledge underlies having effective monitoring programs for water quality and potential identification of health risk conditions. In this study, we assessed the bacterioplankton community composition and diversity across four tidal water levels in a tropical estuary characterized by a mixed semidiurnal tide regime (i.e., two high and two low tides of varying amplitudes) during both dry and wet seasons. The bacterial community composition varied significantly among the four tidal levels, but only during the dry season, when the influence of the seawater intrusion was largest. Bacterial indicators’ taxa identified using the Indicator Value Index were found within Cyanobacteria, Actinobacteriota, Bacteroidota, and Proteobacteria. The indicator taxon Cyanobium sp. had a prominent presence across multiple tidal levels. The main predicted phenotypes of the bacterial communities were associated with potential pathogenicity, gram-negative, and biofilm formation traits. While there were no marked predicted phenotypic differences between seasons, pathogenic and gram-negative traits were more prevalent in the dry season, while biofilm formation traits dominated in the wet season. Overall, our findings underscore the intricate relationship between river hydrodynamics and bacterial composition variability and hint a significant human impact on the water quality of the Bangpakong River.

Identification of organic contaminants in water and related matrices using untargeted liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry screening with MS/MS libraries

Nontargeted and suspect screening with liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) has become an indispensable tool for quality assessment in the aquatic environment – complementary to targeted analysis of organic (micro)contaminants. An LC-HRMS method is presented, suitable for the analysis of a wide variety of water related matrices: surface water, groundwater, wastewater, sediment and sludge, including extracts from passive samplers and on-site solid phase enrichment, while focusing on the data processing aspect of the method. A field study is included to demonstrate the practical application and versatility of the whole process. HRMS/MS data were recorded following LC separation in both (ESI) positive and negative ionization modes using data dependent as well as data independent acquisition. Two vendor (Agilent's Personal Compound Database and Library and from National Institute of Standards and Technology) and one open (MassBank/EU) tandem mass spectral libraries were utilized for the identification of compounds via mass spectral match. The development of a novel software tool for parsing, grouping and reduction of MS/MS features in data files converted to mascot generic format (MGF) helped to substantially decrease the amount of time and effort needed for MS library search. While applying the method, in the course of the entire field study, 18771 detections (from 870 individual compounds) in total were recorded in 275 samples, resulting in 68.3 identified compounds per sample, on average. Among the top ten most frequently detected contaminants across all samples and sample types were pharmaceutical compounds carbamazepine, 4-acetamidoantipyrine, 4-formylaminoantipyrine, tramadol, lamotrigine and phenazone and industrial contaminants toluene-2-sulfonamide, tolytriazole, tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate and benzotriazole. Exploratory data analysis methods and tools enabled us to discover organic pollutant occurrence patterns within the comprehensive sets of qualitative data collected from various projects between the years 2018–2023. The results may be used as valuable inputs for future water quality monitoring programs.

Differences in seasonal dynamics, ecological driving factors and assembly mechanisms of planktonic and periphytic algae in the highly urban Fenhe River

BackgroundAlgae play important roles in urban river ecosystems and are the cornerstones of most water quality monitoring programs. Thus, a better understanding of algal community dynamics is needed to support sustainable management of water resources in urban rivers.ResultsIn this study, we quantified the seasonal variations in planktonic and periphytic algal community structure in the highly urban Fenhe River and identified environmental factors affecting algal community structure and diversity. We monitored planktonic (drifting) and periphytic (attached) algal communities in the Taiyuan section of the Fenhe River over one year. The results indicated that Cyanophyta was the dominant phylum in both communities, followed by Bacillariophyta and Chlorophyta. Significant differences were observed in the composition of the planktonic and periphytic algal communities. In particular, the periphytic algal community was more diverse than the planktonic community. Water temperature and pH were the main environmental factors affecting planktonic and periphytic algal community structure, respectively, while nutrients were the most significant factor affecting planktonic and periphytic algal diversity. Ecological modeling indicated that the variations in the algal communities of the Fenhe River are mainly driven by stochastic processes. A co-occurrence network developed for the communities displayed positive interactions between the planktonic and periphytic algae.ConclusionsThese findings deepen our understanding of the seasonal interaction between planktonic and periphytic algae and the driving factors affecting community structure in the Fenhe River. They also provide a theoretical basis for the managing and protecting water resources in urban river ecosystems.

Citizen science tools for engaged research: Waterquality monitoring in remote communities

Remote areas that lack conventional water-provisioning infrastructure often rely on rainwater harvesting, rivers, pans, reservoirs and borehole-extracted water to meet domestic water requirements. These water sources often have poor microbial quality and chemical composition, the quality of which is not routinely monitored. This study explored citizen science as a tool for Engaged Research and Responsible Research and Innovation, detailing the co-creation of a sustained community-based water quality monitoring program in collaboration with communities in villages in Amakhala Game Reserve (Eastern Cape, South Africa). Without access to other water sources, participants predominantly used rainwater for drinking and cooking (80%), while borehole water was mainly used for cleaning and gardening due to its salty or bitter taste. A hydrogen sulphide (H2S) water testing kit was used by the citizen scientists to monitor the water quality. The H2S kits were effective in estimating bacterial contamination, showing a proportional relationship with Colilert® test results conducted in a laboratory. The alignment observed between community-based monitoring results and those derived from scientist-led testing underscores the value of data produced through citizen science initiatives. Sustained participant engagement throughout this research reflected a sense of community empowerment through access to tools that inform their decision-making around water use and treatment as well as investment in the research, indicative of the perceived relevance of the research to community interests. This integration of transdisciplinary data sources holds promise for informing evidence-based decision-making processes, facilitating more effective and contextually informed water management strategies that value and integrate community perspectives alongside scientific insights.

Active pharmaceutical contaminants in drinking water: myth or fact?

Global water availability has been affected by a variety of factors, including climate change, water pollution, urbanization, and population growth. These issues have been particularly acute in many parts of the world, where access to clean water remains a significant challenge. In this context, preserving existing water bodies is a critical priority. Numerous studies have demonstrated the inadequacy of conventional water treatment processes in removing active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) from the water. These pharmaceutical active compounds have been detected in treated wastewater, groundwater, and even drinking water sources. The presence of APIs in water resources poses a significant threat not only to aquatic organisms but also to human health. These emerging contaminants have the potential to disrupt endocrine systems, promote the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and bioaccumulate in the food chain, ultimately leading to unacceptable risks to public health. The inability of current conventional treatment methods to effectively remove APIs from water has raised serious concerns about the safety and reliability of water supplies. This issue requires immediate attention and the development of more effective treatment technologies to safeguard the quality of water resources and protect both aquatic ecosystems and human health. Other treatment methods, such as nanotechnology, microalgal treatment, and reverse osmosis, are promising in addressing the issue of API contamination in water resources. These innovative approaches have demonstrated higher removal efficiencies for a wide range of APIs compared to conventional methods, such as activated sludge and chlorination, which have been found to be inadequate in the removal of these emerging contaminants. The potential of these alternative treatment technologies to serve as effective tertiary treatment. To address this critical challenge, governments and policymakers should prioritize investment in research and development to establish effective and scalable solutions for eliminating APIs from various water sources. This should include comprehensive studies to assess the performance, cost-effectiveness, and environmental sustainability of emerging treatment technologies. The emerging contaminants should be included in robust water quality monitoring programs (Aus der Beek et al. in Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35(4):823-835), with strict regulatory limits enforced to protect public health and the environment. By doing so, the scientific community and regulatory authorities can work together to develop a multi-barrier approach to safeguarding the water resources and ensuring access to safe, clean water for all. This review explores the potential of alternative treatment technologies to serve as viable solutions in the fight against API contamination. Innovative approaches, including nanotechnology, microalgal treatment, and reverse osmosis, have demonstrated remarkable success in addressing this challenge, exhibiting higher removal efficiencies compared to traditional methods.

Evaluation of LoRa Network Performance for Water Quality Monitoring Systems

Conserving water resources from scarcity and pollution is the basis of water resource management and water quality monitoring programs. However, due to industrialization and population growth in Malaysia, which have resulted in poor water quality in many areas, this program needs to be improved. A smart water quality monitoring system based on the internet of things (IoT) paradigm was designed to analyze water conditions in real time and enable effective water management. Long-range (LoRa) application of the low-power, wide-area networking concept has become a phenomenon in IoT smart monitoring applications. This study proposes the implementation of a LoRa network in a water quality monitoring system-based IoT approach. The LoRa nodes were embedded with measuring sensors pH, turbidity, temperature, total dissolved solids, and dissolved oxygen, in the designated water stations. They operate at a transmission power of 14 dB and a bandwidth of 125 kHz. The network properties were tested with two different antenna gains of 2.1 dBi and 3 dBi, with three different spread factors of 7, 9, and 12. The water stations were located on the Sungai Pantai and Sungai Anak Air Batu rivers on the Universiti Malaya campus, Malaysia. Following a dashboard display and K-means analysis of the water quality data received by the LoRa gateway, it was determined that both rivers are Class II B rivers. The results from the evaluation of LoRa performance on the received strength signal indicator, signal noise ratio, loss packet, and path loss at best were −83 dBm, 7 dB, <0%, and 64.41 dB, respectively, with a minimum received sensitivity of −129.1 dBm. LoRa has demonstrated its efficiency in an urban environment for smart river monitoring purposes.

Assessment of emerging and persistent contaminants in an anthropogenic-impacted watershed: Application using targeted, non-targeted, and in vitro bioassay techniques

Emerging and persistent contaminants (EPC) pose a significant challenge to water quality monitoring efforts. Effect-based monitoring (EBM) techniques provide an efficient and systematic approach in water quality monitoring, but they tend to be resource intensive. In this study, we investigated the EPC distribution for various land uses using target analysis (TA) and non-target screening (NTS) and in vitro bioassays, both individually and integrated, in the upper Ping River Catchment, northern Thailand. Our findings of NTS showed that urban areas were the most contaminated of all land use types, although agriculture sites had high unexpected pollution levels. We evaluated the reliability of NTS data by comparing it to TA and observed varying inconsistencies likely due to matrix interferences and isobaric compound interferences. Integrating NTS with in vitro bioassays for a thorough analysis posed challenges, primary due to a scarcity of concentration data for key compounds, and potentially additive or non-additive effects of mixture samples that could not be accounted for. While EBM approaches place emphasis on toxic sites, this study demonstrated the importance of considering non-bioactive sites that contain toxic compounds with antagonistic effects that may go undetected by traditional monitoring approaches. The present work emphasizes the importance of improving NTS workflows and ensuring high-quality EBM analyses in future water quality monitoring programs.

Towards a Canadian National River Water Quality-Modelling System: State of Science and Future Prospects

Water quality is of significant concern and ultimately critical to every Canadian’s quality of life and security. Canada has diverse and vast landscapes and stressors that impact various waterbodies differentially, with influencing factors including contaminant and nutrient loads from human activity (mining effluent, wastewater, agricultural runoff, plastics), landscape change (wetland drainage, urbanization) and climate change (warming water temperatures, longer open water seasons, extreme hydrological events, intensifying wildfires). Canadian rivers are especially important to the overall biogeochemistry, hydrology, biodiversity, and ultimate health of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. While each of Canada’s provinces and territories has extensive river water quality (physical, chemical, biotic) data and monitoring programs, Environment and Climate Change Canada coordinates various national programs that contribute to the collection and consolidation of these data and conducts extensive research into the study and modelling of key river water quality processes. Despite program-specific efforts, there remains poor capacity to predict current and future conditions in monitored and unmonitored Canadian rivers, particularly remote or northern rivers, due to a myriad of factors including lack of coordination amongst groups and examination of areas in which modelling efforts might be integrated. Herein, we review and analyse the current state of data availability, process studies, and modelling systems for Canadian river water quality. Our synthesis reveals that specific physical processes (water temperature, ice formation, permafrost thaw, sediment dynamics), biogeochemical processes (dissolved oxygen, dissolved organic matter, nutrient cycling, metals/contaminants) and ecological/biological features (biota mass, functional indicators) are well understood, though complex, and are amenable to empirical or mechanistic modelling. Review of this information assists us in identifying opportunities and challenges for developing a national water quality modelling system (NWQMS), that would eventually include similar modelling activities for parallel processes in lakes and integrated watersheds. We identify needs for stronger coordination of monitoring programs in remote areas, recommend use of novel remote sensing technologies, and development of a flexible, iterative ‘process’ for integrated modelling to which stakeholders beyond government can contribute. Such a platform would support short and long-term predictive models of Canadian water quality and ecosystem health, inform effluent concentration limits, and be an early warning system for source waters.

Ecotoxicity threshold values for 4-hydroxychlorothalonil, carbendazim, dimethoate and methoxyfenozide in fresh and marine waters: Part 1. Derivation of threshold values

Pesticide active ingredients are frequently detected in the rivers, creeks, wetlands, estuaries, and marine waters of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) region and are one of the main contributors to poor water quality. Pesticide concentrations detected in the environment through water quality monitoring programs can be compared against estimates of ecologically “safe” concentrations (i.e., water quality guidelines) to assess the potential hazard and risk posed to aquatic ecosystems. Water quality guidelines are also required to estimate the aquatic risk posed by pesticide mixtures, which is used for the Reef 2050 Water Quality Improvement Plan pesticide target. Seventy-four pesticide active ingredients and their degradates are frequently detected in GBR catchment waterways, however many do not have water quality guidelines in the Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality. The current study derives ecotoxicity threshold values (ETVs) as unendorsed guideline values for active ingredients in two fungicides (4-hydroxychlorothalonil (fungicide degradate) and carbendazim) and two insecticides (dimethoate and methoxyfenozide) that are commonly detected in GBR catchment waterways. The proposed ETVs have been derived using species sensitivity distributions, as recommended in the Australian and New Zealand nationally endorsed method for deriving water quality guidelines for aquatic ecosystem protection. Four ETVs were derived for each chemical with values that should theoretically protect 99, 95, 90 and 80 % of species (i.e., PC99, PC95, PC90, PC80, respectively). The PC99 and PC95 values for 4-hydroxychlorothalonil, carbendazim, dimethoate and methoxyfenozide were 0.49 μg/L and 4 μg/L, 0.029 μg/L and 0.45 μg/L, 0.11 μg/L and 5.8 μg/L and 0.19 μg/L and 2 μg/L, respectively. The ETVs will be used in an ecological hazard and risk assessment across GBR waterways in part two of this study. The ETVs can also be used to assess potential risk across Australia and internationally where monitoring data are available.

The Integrating Impacts of Extreme Weather Events and Shrimp Farming Practices on Coastal Water Resource Quality in Ninh Thuan Province, Vietnam

Ninh Thuan is a coastal province in the central region of Vietnam and is characterized by a climate that is the hottest and driest in the country. Vietnam is also one of the top five countries most vulnerable to the effects of climate change worldwide. The objective of this study was a thorough evaluation of the quality of water supply sources and the impacts of water effluents from shrimp farms in Ninh Thuan province. The comprehensive evaluation was based on an understanding of the water–wastewater cycle employed in coastal shrimp cultivation. We combined qualitative and quantitative analyses in undertaking this study. Secondary data of groundwater and coastal water from the local periodic water quality monitoring program and national technical regulations were collected in the qualitative approach. We also integrated participatory rural appraisal techniques and field observations to understanding shrimp cultivation and the environmental and social impacts of shrimp farm effluents. The quantitative assessment consisted of measuring groundwater and wastewater contamination from shrimp ponds. As a result, four main reasons for water pollution issues were determined including extreme weather events, shrimp cultivation practices, degraded infrastructure, and mismanagement by local governance. Shrimp cultivation practices (feeding, using chemicals) have resulted in elevated levels of suspended solid (TSS, total Coliform), organic and carbon matter (BOD5, COD), and excessive nutrients (total Nitrogen, NO2-N, NO3-N, PO4-P). According to a local monitoring program, the coastal water and groundwater have experienced nutrient pollution. Groundwater sampling near the shrimp farms identified salinization elevated levels of Coliform from local domestic sewage sources. This study resulted in an integrated approach that evaluated the combined effects of extreme weather events and shrimp farming practices on the quality of coastal water. Also, the finding can be useful in recommending remedial water treatment technologies as a follow-on phase.

Bacterioplankton Community Diversity of a Portuguese Aquifer System (Maciço Calcário Estremenho)

Climate change may increase the vulnerability of aquifers to contamination through extreme precipitation and extended drought periods. Therefore, the understanding of groundwater ecosystem dynamics is crucial, with bacterial assemblages playing a major role in biogeochemical cycles. The present research describes a geospatial study targeting the bacterial community structure of groundwaters from the largest karst aquifer in Portugal (the Maciço Calcário Estremenho), integrating hydrogeochemical and bacterial diversity data. A total of 22 samples were analyzed from a set of 11 geographically sparsely distributed groundwater sources in dry vs. wet seasons. The 16S rRNA gene barcoding data revealed bacterial community variability across samples in space and time. The phylum Proteobacteria was dominant across all samples (from 44 to 92% of total sequence reads), mainly represented by the classes Alphaproteobacteria (orders Sphingomonadales, BD7–3, Rhizobiales and Rhodospirillales), Betaproteobacteria (orders Burkholderiales, Rhodocyclales, Nitrosomonadales), Gammaproteobacteria (orders Pseudomonadales, Xanthomonadales, Alteromonadales, Legionellales) and Deltaproteobacteria (orders Myxococcales, Spirobacillales). Variation in the bacterial community was primarily attributed to parameters such as redox conditions (DO, ORP), Fe, Mn, SO4, PO4, Sr and Cl, but also some minor and trace elements (Al, V, Cr, Cu, Pb). Our results provide novel insights into bacterial diversity in relation to groundwater hydrogeochemistry. The strong dominance of OTUs related to bacterial taxa associated with nitrification/denitrification also highlights a potentially important role of these assemblages on nutrients (nitrogen sources) and groundwater quality dynamics at this karstic aquifer system. Moreover, the integration of bacterial assemblages information is emphasized as central for water quality monitoring programs.

Examining drinking water quality: analysis of physico-chemical properties and bacterial contamination with health implications for Shangla district, KhyberPakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

A comprehensive understanding of water quality is essential for assessing the complex relationship between surface water and sources of pollution. Primarily, surface water pollution is linked to human and animal waste discharges. This study aimed to investigate the physico-chemical characteristics of drinking water under both dry and wet conditions, assess the extent of bacterial contamination in samples collected from various locations in District Shangla, and evaluate potential health risks associated with consuming contaminated water within local communities. For this purpose, 120 groundwater and surface water samples were randomly collected from various sources such as storage tanks, user sites, streams, ponds and rivers in the study area. The results revealed that in Bisham, lakes had the highest fecal coliform levels among seven tested sources, followed by protected wells, reservoirs, downstream sources, springs, rivers, and ditches; while in Alpuri, nearly 80% of samples from five sources contained fecal coliform bacteria. Similarly, it was observed that the turbidity level, total dissolved solids, electrical conductivity, biological oxygen demand, and dissolved oxygen in the surface drinking water sources of Bisham were significantly higher than those in the surface drinking water sources of Alpuri. Furthermore, the results showed that in the Alpuri region, 14% of the population suffers from dysentery, 27% from diarrhea, 22% from cholera, 13% from hepatitis A, and 16% and 8% from typhoid and kidney problems, respectively, while in the Bisham area, 24% of residents are affected by diarrhea, 17% by cholera and typhoid, 15% by hepatitis A, 14% by dysentery, and 13% by kidney problems. These findings underscore the urgent need for improved water quality management practices and public health interventions to mitigate the risks associated with contaminated drinking water. It is recommended to implement regular water quality monitoring programs, enhance sanitation infrastructure, and raise awareness among local communities about the importance of safe drinking water practices to safeguard public health.

Analysing the interlinkage between diarrhoea and drinking water faecal contamination in India

ABSTRACT Diarrhoea is one of the major waterborne diseases spread through the faecal–oral route causing over 10 million cases and over 1,000 deaths per year in India. This study critically evaluates the interlinkage between bacteriological water quality, i.e. faecal coliforms and diarrhoea cases for the three pre-pandemic years 2017, 2018 and 2019 based on multiple sources. With around 17% of households tap water connectivity as of August 2019, the majority of the Indian population depends on raw groundwater (GW) and surface water sources. For this, faecal coliform (FC) levels in surface and GW have been mapped at district levels using data from India's National Water Quality Monitoring Programme. Health Management Information System's data on diarrhoea have been used to understand the monthly and district-wise variation of diarrhoea. The trends of FC, diarrhoea inpatient cases, and diarrhoea inpatient rates have been discussed. The analysis showed issues associated with the reliability and usefulness of these datasets with 43% of total India districts with no reported FC values for the study period. This study reveals a clear gap in the interlinkage between diarrhoea and bacteriological water quality with the unavailability of granular water quality data as a major challenge.

Occurrence and risk assessment of pesticides and their transformation products related to olive groves in surface waters of the Guadalquivir river basin

Pesticides are considered one of the main sources of contamination of surface waters, especially in rural areas highly influenced by traditional agricultural practices. The objective of this work was to evaluate the impact caused by pesticides and their transformation products (TPs) related to olive groves in surface waters with strong agricultural pressure. 11 streams were monitored during four sampling campaigns over 2 years. A solid-phase extraction, followed by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) analysis was used in the quantitative target approach, with more than 70 validated compounds. Target method was combined with a suspect screening strategy involving more than 500 pesticides and TPs, using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS) to identify additional pesticides and TPs out of the scope of analysis. A total of 43 different compounds were detected with the target method. The herbicide MCPA was present in all samples and at the highest concentration (1260 ng L−1), followed by the fungicide carbendazim (1110 ng L−1), and the herbicide chlorotoluron (706 ng L−1). The suspect screening strategy revealed the presence of 7 compounds out of the target analysis (1 pesticide and 6 TPs). 6 analytes were confirmed with the analytical standards. Semi-quantification results revealed that TPs exhibited higher concentrations than their corresponding parent compounds, indicating higher persistency. Some small streams showed a comparable number of pesticides and concentrations to the most polluted large river. The determined pesticide and TPs concentrations represented an estimated environmental hazard in almost all sampling sites under study. This work underscores the importance of including pesticide TPs and small streams impacted by extensive agricultural activities in water quality monitoring programs.

Bacteriological Evaluation of Surface and Groundwater used for Domestic Purposes in Ibadan

The right to safe and clean drinking water is a human right, unfortunately many communities rely on unsafe and contaminated water for drinking and domestic purposes. Through improper sewage and hospital waste disposal, pathogenic and antibiotic resistant bacteria have found their way to natural water sources used by humans. In this study we aim to profile pathogenic bacteria and resistant Escherichia coli (E. coli) from surface and ground water sources in three local government areas of Oyo state. 30 water samples were collected randomly from the selected local government areas. Bacteriological, biochemical and antibiotic-resistant analysis was carried out on the isolated bacteria from the water samples. E. coli (28.30%) and Kleb pneumoniae (23.77%) were the predominant bacteria isolates, while Shigella (16.22%) and Salmonella (16.22%) also had substantial percentages. Nineteen E. coli was isolated and identified, with high antibiotic resistance rates observed in nalidixic Acid (100%), augmentin (100%), ampiclox (94.74%) and third-generation cephalosporins. Conversely, moderate levels of resistance were observed in nitrofurantoin (55.55%), cefepime (57.89%), and second-generation fluoroquinolones. This study reveals substantial pathogenic bacteria and antibiotic resistant E. coli in water samples which endangers the health of communities’ dependent on these water sources and exposes the inhabitants to antibiotic-resistant organisms from contaminated water used for domestic purposes. It is crucial to put in place water treatment measures and quality monitoring programmes in order to guarantee that the populace has access to clean and safe drinking water.

Accounting for water quality—A framework for agricultural water use

Driven by increasing water demand, scarcity concerns, and climate change impacts, numerous countries prioritize solutions for enhanced water use efficiency. However, these solutions often focus primarily on managing water quantities to improve water productivity in agriculture, urban, and industrial sectors. Effective and sustainable water use, however, requires monitoring and management of both water quantity and quality. Traditionally, water quantity and water quality have been managed separately, often by different government agencies with different missions and limited interaction. Ensuring sufficient water quantity for agriculture and food production often takes precedence over managing water quality. Water accounting, as a tool for allocating and managing water quantity is now widely accepted and numerous examples of successful implementation exist worldwide. However, the concept of incorporating water quality into water accounting has not yet been widely promoted. Measuring both quantity and quality in the same water bodies is a fundamental principle of assessment of impacts on water quality through the determination of loads. The load is the amount of a given substance or pollutant for a given period of time. Using the key steps necessary for the development of a water quality monitoring and assessment programme, a framework has been developed that can be applied to water accounting projects using typical water accounting applications. Two examples of potential applications are used to consider the technical, institutional, and financial requirements. Implementing a framework for incorporating water quality monitoring and assessment into water accounting should contribute substantially to the need for more water quality data at global scale. Such data are required to facilitate achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 6 “Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all” through more efficient water resources management and greater awareness of water quality impacts in the agricultural water use sector.

Phytoplankton functional dynamics in relation to some physicochemical parameters in Lake Kuriftu (Oromia, Ethiopia)

The water quality of Lake Kuriftu is deteriorating, and monitoring programs are almost nonexistent in Ethiopia. Phytoplanktons are good indicators of environmental changes due to their fast response to a wide range of stressors. The phytoplankton functional groups (FGs) can be used as water quality indicators. This study aimed to assess the dynamics of phytoplankton functional groups (FGs) in relation to some physicochemical water quality parameters measured at three sites in Lake Kuriftu. Samples for the analysis of biological and physicochemical parameters were collected monthly, from December 2020 to April 2021. The results of the physicochemical parameters revealed that Lake Kuriftu is turbid (21.37 to 59.86 NTU), has a thin euphotic depth (ZSD0.304 to 0.548 m), and is eutrophic. Ninety-seven (97) phytoplankton taxa were identified and classified into 16 Reynolds Functional Groups (RFGs), of which six (J, MP, X1, Lo, S1, and F) were represented by more than six species. FGs S1, SN, Lo, and Lm, which often form Harmful Algal Blooms, contributed together about 33.54 mg L−1, or 87.84 %, of the total biomass recorded for Lake Kuriftu, demonstrating the water quality of the lake is deteriorating. Among the FGs, the most dominant (in terms of biomass) was S1, followed by J at all sites and in all sampling months. The results of redundancy analysis (RDA) revealed that the main driving factors of phytoplankton FG biomass and composition were TP, ZSD, TN, Salinity, and ammonia. Among these, TP and salinity impacted the FGs negatively, while TN and ammonia influenced them positively. Thus, the physicochemical parameters have a significant impact on the distribution of phytoplankton FGs, suggesting that the use of FGs for water quality monitoring programs is useful. To promote wise use and conservation of the lake ecosystem, more intensive study should be carried out on the biological and physicochemical aspects of the lake, as it is part of a tourist attraction area and a source of income for local inhabitants.

Linking Clusters of Micropollutants in Surface Water to Emission Sources, Environmental Conditions, and Substance Properties

Water quality monitoring programs yield a wealth of data. It is often unclear why a certain substance occurs in higher concentrations at a certain location or time. In this study, substances were considered in clusters with co-varying concentrations rather than in isolation. A total of 196 substance clusters at 19 monitoring sites in the rivers Rhine and Meuse were identified. A total of nine clusters were found repeatedly with a similar composition at different monitoring sites. Several environmental conditions and substance properties could be linked to clusters. In addition, overlap with reference substance lists was determined. These lists group multiple substances according to emission sources, substance types, or type of use. The reference substance lists revealed that Rhine and Meuse are similarly affected. The nine ‘repeating clusters’ were analyzed in more detail to identify drivers. For instance, a repeating cluster with herbicides was specifically linked to high temperatures and a high number of hours in the sun per day, e.g., summer conditions. A cluster containing polychlorinated biphenyls, identified as persistent and with a high tendency to bind organic matter, was linked to high river discharge and attributed to a potential release from sediment resuspension. Not all substances could be clustered, because their concentration did not structurally vary in the same way as other substances. The presented explorative cluster analyses, along with the obtained relations with substance properties, local environmental conditions, and reference substance lists, may facilitate the reconstruction of the processes that lead to the observed variation in concentrations. This knowledge can subsequently be used by water managers to improve water quality.

Water Quality and Dissolved Organic Carbon Content in Agricultural Streams: Northern Nile Delta Region, Egypt

Sustainable development goals (SDGs) 2 (zero hunger), 6 (clean water and sanitation), and 15 (life on land) are related to the human-water-soil nexus. Soil organic carbon and nutrients can be removed and transported to waterways through runoff and drainage. The main goals of this study are to quantify the water quality for irrigation and assess the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) contents in streams in the northern Nile Delta, Egypt. A 4-year water quality monitoring program is accomplished by collecting 35 irrigation and drainage water samples per year from the study area. The measured water quality parameters are as follows: salinity, pH, Na, SAR, Cl, and NO3–N. In addition, the DOC content is accessed. The salinity hazard ranged from moderate, for most irrigation samples, to high and very high for drainage samples. All collected water samples have low to medium sodium hazards. Results indicate that average DOC contents in irrigation canals are 2.32 and 2.93 mg L−1 for the summer and winter, respectively. The respective means of DOC concentration in drainage canals for the summer and winter seasons are around 3.96 and 5.09 mg L−1. This study revealed significant differences in EC, pH, Na, Cl, and SAR, as water quality parameters, between irrigation and drainage canals. Additionally, the studied agroecosystem has seasonal variability in DOC concentration in irrigation and drainage canals between summer and winter. Overall, reusing drainage water for irrigation in the study area requires the selection of suitable crops and site-specific management.