Recreational Water Use Research Articles

Hygienic regulation of harmful chemicals in water – a view through the prism of research by the A.N. Sysin Research Institute

The article is devoted to the history of hygienic regulation of harmful chemicals in water at the A.N. Sysin Research Institute, spanning several decades. The article details the stages of the development of the methodology for hygienic regulation of chemicals in water, starting from the first regulatory documents developed under the guidance of A.N. Sysin in the 1940s to an improved methodology that includes accelerated and in-depth toxicological experiments. The developed step-by-step regulation scheme for chemicals in water combines the experimental method of substantiating maximum allowable concentrations (MACs) based on organoleptic and general sanitary indicators of harmfulness with techniques that allow reducing the duration of toxicological studies where it is possible without loss of quality of the results. There are considered modern approaches to predicting the toxicity of substances and their biotransformation, including the use of data mining methods and quantum chemistry. Special attention is given to studying the issues of ensuring safe water use conditions for the population, the application of new chemical compounds in various industries, as well as the effectiveness and safety of reagents and technologies used in water purification and water treatment processes, including improving criteria and methods for studying the combined effects of substances. The results of studies on the transformation processes of substances under the action of various disinfecting agents are presented. Many years of research by the Institute’s staff are reflected in the Methodological Guidelines for substantiating hygienic standards for chemicals in the water of household and drinking water bodies and recreational water use, Methodological Guidelines for assessing the safety of materials, reagents, and equipment used for water purification and treatment, and the development of hygienic standards for the content of chemicals in water. On this basis, modern main documents on the regulation of chemicals in the environment have been created.

Influence of Physiographic Region on Pathogen Concentrations Between Stream Types

Predicting public health risk associated with exposure to and recreational use of surface waters is often challenging due to substantial variability in concentrations of pathogenic bacteria, even among seemingly similar streams. In this study, we document significant differences in the surface water concentrations of the common bacteria indicators Escherichia coli and fecal coliform between two major stream types—blackwater and redwater streams (p < 0.001). We propose and present evidence that these findings result from natural biogeochemical variation between physiographic regions (p < 0.001). These findings suggest that physiographic stream type may influence the degree of exposure to waterborne pathogens and risk of waterborne disease. Future research is needed to assess whether the inclusion of stream type in risk assessments can improve public health modeling and mapping.

Pharmaceutical Pollution of the English National Parks.

England's 10 national parks are renowned for their landscapes, wildlife, and recreational value. However, surface waters in the national parks may be vulnerable to pollution from human-use chemicals, such as active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), because of factors like ineffective wastewater treatment, seasonal tourism, a high proportion of elderly residents, and the presence of low-flow water bodies that limit dilution. The present study determined the extent of API contamination in the English national parks by monitoring 54 APIs in 37 rivers across all national parks over two seasons. Results were compared to existing data sets for UK cities and to concentration thresholds for ecological impacts and antimicrobial resistance selection. Results revealed widespread contamination of the national parks, with APIs detected at 52 out of 54 sites and in both seasons. Thirty-one APIs were detected, with metformin, caffeine, and paracetamol showing the highest mean concentrations and cetirizine, metformin, and fexofenadine being the most frequently detected. While total API concentrations were generally lower than seen previously in UK cities, locations in the Peak District and Exmoor had higher concentrations than most city rivers. Fourteen locations had concentrations of either amitriptyline, carbamazepine, clarithromycin, diltiazem, metformin, paracetamol, or propranolol above levels of concern for fish, invertebrates, and algae or for selection for antimicrobial resistance. Therefore, API pollution of the English national parks appears to pose risks to ecological health and potentially human health through recreational water use. Given that these parks are biodiversity hotspots with protected ecosystems, there is an urgent need for improved monitoring and management of pharmaceutical pollution and pollution more generally not only in national parks in England but also in similar environments across the world. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:2422-2435. © 2024 The Author(s). Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.

Environmental impacts in water resources surrounding world surfing reserves: A case study in the Madre Watershed, Brazil

In order to promote the adoption of an ecosystem-based approach in environmental management processes, integrated assessment studies can be conducted to link human activities and observed impacts on natural environments. Analytical models such as DPSIR are used, based on the monitoring of environmental indicators, to improve planning and management processes for water resources at multiple scales. World Surfing Reserves (WSRs) are institutions that have been utilizing this environmental assessment model to successfully implement environmental management strategies and instruments in coastal zones. Building upon the adaptive co-management model developed in the 6th WSR of Bahía de Todos Santos (Mexico), which incorporates DPSIR analysis and the use of GIS (remote sensing) tools in environmental assessment, this research develops a protocol for integrated environmental assessment, focusing on water resource management, through a case study conducted in the 9th WSR of Guarda do Embaú, Santa Catarina, Brazil. It is understood that this protocol can be utilized in other surfing reserves, especially in estuarine regions, to identify priority aspects for water resource management through: (i) water quality indicators, (ii) institutional environmental monitoring reports, and (iii) georeferenced statistical data (GIS). Based on these data, integrated analyses were conducted to determine which polluting agents pose a greater risk to the sustainable management of water resources surrounding the 9th WSR. Among the observed results, it was found that multiple pressure factors pose high environmental risk to the water resource stocks, mainly due to the discharge of urban and agricultural effluents into rivers, as well as deforestation in protected areas directly associated with the conservation of water reservoirs. As a result of these factors, a moderate risk of eutrophication, water scarcity, unavailability of recreational water use, disease spread, and sedimentation was observed, alongside a high risk of biodiversity loss, habitat loss, and unavailability of drinking water. Due to the risks of the mentioned impacts, the aspects identified in this study require management at the appropriate scale for processes occurring in the watershed, in order to gradually mitigate the effects of polluting activities.

Candida spp. isolated from recreational coastal waters of Rio de Janeiro – Brazil: Focus on antifungal resistance and virulence attributes

The use of recreational waters is a widespread activity worldwide, and one of the risks associated with this practice is the exposure of bathers to microorganisms that may arise due to pollution caused by inadequate infrastructure and sanitation. In the present work, we isolated Candida spp. (n = 24) from five recreational beaches in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in order to evaluate their susceptibility to antifungals, the production of virulence attributes and the in vivo virulence using Tenebrio molitor larvae as a model. The ITS1–5.8S-ITS2 gene sequencing identified thirteen isolates (54.1 %) as C. tropicalis, seven (29.1 %) as C. krusei (Pichia kudriavzevii), one (4.2 %) as C. rugosa (Diutina rugosa), one (4.2 %) as C. mesorugosa (Diutina mesorugosa), one (4.2 %) as C. utilis (Cyberlindnera jadinii) and one (4.2 %) as C. parapsilosis. C. tropicalis isolates showed resistance to azoles and susceptibility to amphotericin B, flucytosine and caspofungin. C. krusei isolates were resistant to fluconazole, caspofungin and itraconazole, with 42.8 % resistance to flucytosine, besides susceptibility to voriconazole and amphotericin B. The remaining species were susceptible to all tested antifungals. All Candida isolates adhered to abiotic surfaces and formed biofilm on polystyrene, albeit to varying degrees, and produced aspartic protease and hemolytic activity, which are considered fungal virulence attributes. C. tropicalis, C. krusei and C. utilis isolates produced phytase, while the only esterase producer was C. tropicalis. Regarding resistance to osmotic stress, all isolates of C. tropicalis, C. parapsilosis and C. mesorugosa grew up to 7.5 % NaCl; the remaining isolates grew up to 1.87–3.75 % NaCl. The mortality caused by fungal challenges in T. molitor larvae was variable, with C. tropicalis, C. utilis and C. parapsilosis being more virulent than C. krusei and C. rugosa complex. Collectively, the presence of these yeasts, particularly the virulent and resistant isolates, in recreational waters can pose a significant health risk to bathers.

The effect of sewage source on HF183 risk-based threshold estimation for recreational water quality management

Host-associated fecal indicator measurements can be coupled with quantitative microbial risk assessment to develop risk-based thresholds for recreational use of potential sewage-contaminated waters. These assessments require information on the relative concentrations of indicators and pathogens in discharged sewage, typically based on data collected from wastewater treatment plant influent samples. However, most untreated sewage releases occur from within the collection system itself (i.e. compromised sewer laterals, compromised gravity and force mains, sanitary sewer overflows), where these relationships may differ. This study therefore analyzed the concentrations of a selected reference pathogen (norovirus) and fecal indicator (HF183) in sewage samples from upper and lower segments of gravity sewage collection systems, wastewater pumpstations, and the influent and effluent of treatment plants, to characterize variability in their relative concentrations. Norovirus detection rates were lower and more variable in upper collection system samples due to the smaller population represented; whereas, HF183 was routinely detected at all sites with higher concentrations in the collection system compared to treatment plant influent, resulting in variable comparative relationships across sample locations (types). Mean HF183:NoV ratios ranged from 1.0 × 105 for sewer lateral samples to 7 × 10° for force main samples. Results were used to develop risk-based thresholds for HF183 based on estimated recreational exposure to norovirus following a release from each potential sewage source, with higher thresholds for treatment facility influent compared to forced mains, or effluent. Consequently, this approach can allow for the rapid application of potential risk-based thresholds for recreational water quality applications based on different types of sewage discharge events.

Recreational water use in tourist destinations of Altai Region and Novosibirsk Oblast: calculation and spatial analysis

Recreational water use in tourist destinations of Altai Region and Novosibirsk Oblast: calculation and spatial analysis

Recreational water use in tourist destinations of Altai Region and Novosibirsk Oblast: calculation and spatial analysis

Recreational water use in tourist destinations of Altai Region and Novosibirsk Oblast: calculation and spatial analysis

Fecal Bacteria Contamination of Floodwaters and a Coastal Waterway From Tidally-Driven Stormwater Network Inundation.

Inundation of coastal stormwater networks by tides is widespread due to sea-level rise (SLR). The water quality risks posed by tidal water rising up through stormwater infrastructure (pipes and catch basins), out onto roadways, and back out to receiving water bodies is poorly understood but may be substantial given that stormwater networks are a known source of fecal contamination. In this study, we (a) documented temporal variation in concentrations of Enterococcus spp. (ENT), the fecal indicator bacteria standard for marine waters, in a coastal waterway over a 2-month period and more intensively during two perigean spring tide periods, (b) measured ENT concentrations in roadway floodwaters during tidal floods, and (c) explained variation in ENT concentrations as a function of tidal inundation, antecedent rainfall, and stormwater infrastructure using a pipe network inundation model and robust linear mixed effect models. We find that ENT concentrations in the receiving waterway vary as a function of tidal stage and antecedent rainfall, but alsosite-specificcharacteristics of the stormwater network that drains to the waterway. Tidal variables significantly explain measured ENT variance in the waterway, however, runoff drove higher ENT concentrations in the receiving waterway. Samples of floodwaters on roadways during both perigean spring tide events were limited, but all samples exceeded the threshold for safe public use of recreational waters. These results indicate that inundation of stormwater networks by tides could pose public health hazards in receiving water bodies and on roadways, which will likely be exacerbated in the future due to continued SLR.

Performance of Chlorella vulgaris in Phycoremediation of Livestock Effluent

Livestock effluent is known to contain significantly higher concentrations of organic matter and challenging-to-degrade organic compounds compared to urban wastewater. This makes the effluent treatment challenging and adversely affects nearby aquatic environments if improperly treated. Phycoremediation uses microalgae in water and wastewater treatment. This research aim was to evaluate pollutant removal efficiencies, including chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solids (TSS), nitrate (NO₃-N), turbidity, and phosphate (P), using microalgae Chlorella vulgaris (C. vulgaris) cultivation systems for livestock effluent treatment. The biomass weight of C. vulgaris in the cultivation systems was also observed. In this study, C. vulgaris was cultivated in closed cultivation systems in 5 L water bottles with different dilutions (100%, 75%, 50%, and 25%). The water effluent was compared to permissible values using the National Water Quality Standard (NWQS) class II for recreational water use. TSS was significantly removed by 61.97%, while COD and P were removed by 39.1% and 36.4%, respectively. The biomass growth was observed through the dry weight of the C.vulgaris. Therefore, the removal of nutrients from cattle farm effluent by phytoremediation using C. vulgaris demonstrates potential for treatment efficacy.

Satellite Remote Sensing: A Tool to Support Harmful Algal Bloom Monitoring and Recreational Health Advisories in a California Reservoir.

Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cyanoHABs) can harm people, animals, and affect consumptive and recreational use of inland waters. Monitoring cyanoHABs is often limited. However, chlorophyll-a (chl-a) is a common water quality metric and has been shown to have a relationship with cyanobacteria. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently updated their previous 1999 cyanoHAB guidance values (GVs) to be more practical by basing the GVs on chl-a concentration rather than cyanobacterial counts. This creates an opportunity for widespread cyanoHAB monitoring based on chl-a proxies, with satellite remote sensing (SRS) being a potentially powerful tool. We used Sentinel-2 (S2) and Sentinel-3 (S3) to map chl-a and cyanobacteria, respectively, classified chl-a values according to WHO GVs, and then compared them to cyanotoxin advisories issued by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) at San Luis Reservoir, key infrastructure in California's water system. We found reasonably high rates of total agreement between advisories by DWR and SRS, however rates of agreement varied for S2 based on algorithm. Total agreement was 83% for S3, and 52%-79% for S2. False positive and false negative rates for S3 were 12% and 23%, respectively. S2 had 12%-80% false positive rate and 0%-38% false negative rate, depending on algorithm. Using SRS-based chl-a GVs as an early indicator for possible exposure advisories and as a trigger for in situ sampling may be effective to improve public health warnings. Implementing SRS for cyanoHAB monitoring could fill temporal data gaps and provide greater spatial information not available from in situ measurements alone.

Correlational Study of Escherichia coli Concentrations and Coastal Water Temperatures in Metro Vancouver’s Routine Beach Water Quality Reports from 2016-2022

The impact of climate change and the resulting more frequent heatwaves severely affect public health, as seen in the record-breaking 2021 Western North America heat wave. The elevated coastal water temperatures caused by rising ambient temperatures are expected to lead to increased recreational water use, which could contribute to higher levels of Recreational Water Illnesses (RWIs) due to the growth of specific pathogens. This study investigates any potential correlation between Escherichia Coli levels and coastal water temperatures in Routine Beach Water Quality reports from Metro Vancouver from 2016-2022. Furthermore, it aims to create a standardized Bathing Water Quality Index (BWQI) to reduce public exposure to pathogens and prepare for future extreme weather events.

Longitudinal carriage of antimicrobial resistant Enterobacterales in healthy individuals in Ireland - Assessing the impact of recreational water use on duration of carriage

The increasing prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing Enterobacterales (ESBL-PE) and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) is a major public health concern worldwide. Despite the associated risk of infection from gut colonisation with a resistant Enterobacterales, the incidence and duration of carriage in healthy individuals is poorly studied. This “persistence study” is the first in Ireland to assess the longitudinal carriage of ESBL-PE and CPE in healthy individuals. A cohort of 45 participants, 22 of whom were colonised with ESBL-PE, was recruited from a recently completed point prevalence study that investigated colonisation in recreational water users (WU) versus controls. Six bi-monthly faecal samples per participant were analysed for CPE and ESBL-PE over one year and the relationship between persistent colonisation and exposure to natural waters was investigated. For 11 of 45 participants (24.4 %) ESBL-E. coli (ESBL-EC) was detected in at least one sample. Genomic analysis revealed that six participants harboured the same ESBL-EC strains as identified in the preceding study. ESBL-EC persisted in the gut for a median duration of 10.3 months (range 4–23 months), consistent with previous research. Five participants (11.1 %) carried ESBL-EC for the entire study year. The carbapenemase gene blaIMI-2 was detected once. Colonisation was higher in water users during the non-bathing season (n = 10, November 2021–April 2022), than during the bathing season (n = 5, May 2022–September 2022) [relative risk 1.99 (95 % CI 0.34–11.71)]. However, overall WU were less likely to be colonised with ESBL-EC than controls (19 % vs 25 % respectively, RR 0.76, CI 0.24–2.34). Further research is warranted to better understand the factors influencing the persistence of gut colonisation with ESBL-EC and CPE and to what extent bathing water quality impacts colonisation for those regularly exposed.

Five Years Measuring the Muck: Evaluating Interannual Variability of Nutrient Loads From Tidal Flooding

Due to sea level rise, tidal flooding is now common in low-lying coastal systems around the world. Yet, the contribution of tidal flooding to non-point source nutrient loads and their impact on the quality of adjacent waters remains poorly constrained. Here, we quantified dissolved nutrient loading and Enterococcus abundance during annual autumnal king tides (i.e., perigean spring tides), between 2017 and 2021, in a sub-watershed of the lower Chesapeake Bay. To calculate nutrient loading from tidal flooding, we used geospatial inundation depths from a street-level hydrodynamic model to estimate floodwater volumes during each of the five sampling events and the difference between nutrient concentrations in floodwater and pre-flood measurements. Results showed that dissolved nutrient concentrations were higher in floodwaters than in estuarine waters and resulted in dissolved nitrogen and phosphorus loads that reached 58.4 × 103 kg and 14.4 × 103 kg, respectively. We compared our load estimates to the tributary-specific total and land-based federal allocations (i.e., total maximum daily loads (TMDL)) for total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP). Even the more conservative calculations indicate that inputs of dissolved nutrients during a single tidal flooding event can exceed 100% of the annual load allocation. Additionally, more than 80% of the floodwater samples collected each year showed Enterococcus abundance that exceeded the threshold for recreational water use in Virginia (104 MPN 100 ml−1). Failing to account for non-point source loading of nutrients and contaminants from tidal flooding as sea level rises could result in worsening eutrophication and deterioration of coastal economies and the health of coastal communities around the world.

Hydrochemical composition of the water of the Okkerville river

Okkervil is one of the small rivers of St. Petersburg, the source of which is located on the territory of the Leningrad Region, and the mouth is within the city of St. Petersburg. The length of the river is 18 kilometers, and in its course it passes through several rapidly developing settlements, including the village of Novosergievka and Kudrovo. The Okkervil River and its coastal zone, both within the city and beyond its borders, are actively used for various purposes, including recreation and amateur fishing. However, like many other rivers flowing through the territories of large cities, the river. Okkervil is subject to diverse anthropogenic pressure, leading to water pollution. Thus, the water quality of this river may not be of adequate quality for use in fisheries and recreational purposes. The main objective of this work is to determine the chemical composition of the waters of the river and to establish its suitability for fisheries and recreational water use. Sampling was carried out during the open water period at three points with different types of anthropogenic load: outside the city, near the village of Novosergievka; at the entrance to the city; and in the residential area, near the Prospekt Bolshevikov metro station. At each point, the main hydrochemical indicators were determined: the concentrations of iron, copper, ammonium ions, phosphates, nitrates and nitrites, heavy metals, as well as the concentration of dissolved oxygen and BOD5. At all sampling points during the research period in the river, the standard values for the content of nitrites, phosphates, iron and copper were exceeded.The results obtained indicate a high level of pollution associated, among other things, with the ingress of untreated storm drains into the river, and untreated and undertreated household waste. The highest level of water pollution was noted at a point located in a residential area. The water here corresponded to the V class of quality (dirty). Both in the spring-summer and autumn periods of the study, the water of the Okkervil River in the other two sections corresponded to III-IV quality class (moderately polluted - polluted). The water quality of the Okkervil River deteriorates from the source to the mouth. In all the studied areas, the river is unsuitable for fisheries and recreational water use.

Trace Heavy Metal Contamination of Urban Water Bodies in Central Asia: Its Distribution, Source Detection, and Probabilistic Health Risk Assessment for Recreational and Household Use of Water

Trace Heavy Metal Contamination of Urban Water Bodies in Central Asia: Its Distribution, Source Detection, and Probabilistic Health Risk Assessment for Recreational and Household Use of Water

Assessing the impact of recreational water use on carriage of antimicrobial resistant organisms

Understanding the role of exposure to natural recreational waters in the acquisition and transmission of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an area of increasing interest. A point prevalence study was carried out in the island of Ireland to determine the prevalence of colonisation with extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales (ESBL-PE) and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) in recreational water users (WU) and matched controls. A total of 411 adult participants (199 WU, 212 controls) submitted at least one faecal sample between September 2020 – October 2021. In total, 80 Enterobacterales were isolated from 73 participants. ESBL-PE were detected in 29 (7.1 %) participants (7 WU, 22 controls), and CRE were detected in nine (2.2 %) participants (4 WU, 5 controls). No carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) were detected. WU were significantly less likely to harbour ESBL-PE than controls (risk ratio = 0.34, 95 % CI 0.148 to 0.776, χ2 7.37, p = 0.007). This study demonstrates the occurrence of ESBL-PE and CRE in healthy participants in Ireland. Recreational exposure to bathing water in Ireland was associated with a decreased prevalence of colonisation with ESBL-PE and CRE.

Microbe-sediment interactions in Great Lakes recreational waters: Implications for human health risk.

Microbial assessments of recreational water have traditionally focused on culturing or DNA-based approaches of the planktonic water column, omitting influence from microbe-sediment relationships. Sediment (bed and suspended) has been shown to often harbour levels of bacteria higher than the planktonic phase. The fate of suspended sediment (SS) bacteria is extensively related to transport dynamics (e.g., deposition) of the associated sediment/floc. When hydraulic energy allows, SS will settle, introducing new (potentially pathogenic) organisms to the bed. With turbulence, including waves, currents and swimmers, the risk of human ingestion is elevated due to resuspension of bed sediment and associated microbes. This research used multiplex nanofluidic reverse transcriptase quantitative PCR on RNA of bacteria associated with bed and SS to explore the active bacteria in freshwater shorelines. Bacterial genes of human health concern regarding recreational water use were targeted, such as faecal indicator bacteria (FIB), microbial source tracking genes and virulence factors from waterborne pathogens. Results indicate avian sources (i.e., gulls, geese) to be the largest nonpoint source of FIB associated with sediment in Great Lakes shorelines. This research introduces a novel approach to microbial water quality assessments and enhances our understanding of microbe-sediment dynamics and the quality of freshwater beaches.

DETERMINATION OF THE HAZARD OF RECREATIONAL WATER USE IN THE CITY KHARKIV (UKRAINE)

The use of polluted water bodies for recreation carries the threat of an outbreak of infectious diseases. A new method for determining the integral indicator of the occurrence of infectious diseases due to recreational water use is proposed. The cause of infectious disease can be not only swimming in water bodies, but also poor-quality food or drinking water, as well as soil pollution on the territory of beaches. Therefore, in the study of infectious diseases associated with recreational water use, it is proposed to calculate weighting factors separately for food products (Ff), drinking water of centralized water supply (Fdvc), drinking water of non-centralized water supply (Fdvd), surface water in places of mass recreation of people ( Fwr) and soil in the beach zone (Fsb) on the basis of research carried out by the bodies of the state sanitary and epidemiological service. Based on the data of state statistics by using a new method, an integral indicator of the occurrence of infectious diseases as a result of recreational water use in the city of Kharkiv was determined. The application of the proposed method will make it possible to make a scientifically based decision regarding the management of water resources and the protection of public health. The authors of the article conducted a study of the quality of surface water according to hydrochemical and bacteriological indicators in the summer of 2021 on 6 beaches of the city Kharkiv. On all beaches, there is a significant excess of the values of biogenic and bacteriological indicators, which creates a threat of infectious diseases. The risk values correspond to the 4th and 5th class of danger (high and very high impact on public health). The analysis of the evaluation of the weighting coefficients allows to determine the main causes of the development of infectious diseases in order to make scientifically based decisions on ensuring comfortable living conditions for the population. Identifying all possible sources of pollution, being aware of changes that may negatively affect water quality, and providing adequate information to the population are important preventive measures for public health protection. Keywords: public health, recreational water use, infectious disease, pollution sources, Kharkiv city.

Recreational water illness in Canada: a changing risk landscape in the context of climate change

Swimming and other recreational water activities at public beaches are popular outdoor leisure activities among Canadians. However, these activities can lead to increased risks of acquiring acute gastrointestinal illness and other illnesses among beachgoers. Young children have much higher rates of exposure and illness than other age groups. These illnesses have a significant health and economic burden on society. Climate change is expected to influence both the risk of exposure and illness. A warming climate in Canada, including more severe summer heatwave events, will likely lead to increased recreational water use. Warmer temperatures will also contribute to the growth and increased range of harmful algal blooms and other climate-sensitive pathogens. Increased precipitation and heavy rainfall events will contribute to fecal and nutrient contamination of beach waters, increasing risks of gastrointestinal illness and harmful algal bloom events. There is a need to enhance recreational water research and surveillance in Canada to prepare for and adapt to these changing risks. Key research and policy needs are suggested and discussed, including evaluating and monitoring risks of recreational water illness in Canadian contexts, improving timely reporting of recreational water quality conditions, and enhancing approaches for routine beach water surveillance.