Water cleanliness and safety are fundamental to sustaining human activities and maintaining ecological stability. In this study, a self-powered water-quality sensing system is developed based on contact electrification and the distinct charge-transfer behaviors of different pollutants at the liquid-solid interface. When water samples containing heavy metal ions, microplastics, or rust flow through a conductive sponge, contact friction between the pollutants and the flexible porous structure generates differentiated triboelectric signals, which are continuously collected using an electrometer and a data acquisition card. By further integrating a Light Gradient Boosting Machine (Light GBM) model, a mapping relationship between signal features and pollutant types and concentrations is established for water-quality prediction. Experimental results demonstrate that the system can effectively identify heavy metal ions (Zn2+, Ba2+, and Al3+), polypropylene (PP) microplastics, and rust (Fe2O3), achieving an average classification accuracy of 86.67%. Validation experiments using municipal water samples from Kunming supplemented with quantified rust further confirm the reliability of the system. Under varying temperature (4.36-42.75°C), pH (3-11), and turbidity conditions, the system maintains stable and accurate pollutant recognition, with detection accuracy reaching up to 100%. This study integrates liquid-solid triboelectric sensing with machine learning, providing a promising strategy for intelligent water-quality monitoring.

Fecal contamination poses a persistent global threat to drinking water safety, especially in low- and middle-income countries with limited sanitation and treatment infrastructure. Fecal matter transmits a wide array of enteric pathogens like bacteria (Escherichia coli, Vibrio cholerae, Salmonella, Shigella), viruses (norovirus, rotavirus, adenoviruses), protozoa (Giardia, Cryptosporidium), and occasionally fungi and helminths-driving outbreaks of diarrheal diseases, cholera, and other waterborne illnesses that cause substantial morbidity and childhood mortality. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the sources, environmental survival, and transmission behavior of fecal-associated microbes in drinking water systems, including persistence in biofilms, seasonal fluctuations, and distribution network dynamics. It critically compares detection methods, from conventional culture-based techniques to advanced molecular tools that provide greater speed, specificity, and field applicability. The paper also evaluates remediation approaches, contrasting established physical-chemical treatments (coagulation-sedimentation, filtration, UV disinfection, chlorination) with sustainable, eco-friendly alternatives such as bioremediation, phytoremediation, bacteriophage therapy, predatory bacteria, and biosurfactant use, which offer low-cost, chemical-free pathogen control. Effective integration of sensitive detection technologies with targeted, sustainable remediation strategies supported by quantitative microbial risk assessment is essential to reduce fecal pollution risks and protect public health. The review calls for adaptive, multi-barrier water management frameworks to achieve safer drinking water globally.

As a leading cause of injury-related harm, drowning prevention is a vital, yet under-resourced public health area. Central to efforts to prevent drowning are robust understandings of risk (and protective factors) and the ability to monitor the effectiveness of any prevention interventions. Despite significant drowning burden in Türkiye, data on drowning are unreliable and largely unavailable. In this special feature, we argue for the development of a national integrated drowning registry in Türkiye. Although some drowning data are captured at the national level in Türkiye, data are not made publicly available, limiting awareness of the problem both politically and among the public. Data are reported to a European repository but statistics are inconsistent with national estimates. Further limiting understanding of the circumstances of drowning, data are not currently available via request by individual International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes. Compared with the minimal understanding of fatal drowning burden in Türkiye, understanding of non-fatal drowning is virtually non-existent. An integrated national registry is urgently needed in Türkiye to support robust understanding of the fatal and non-fatal drowning burden to support prevention efforts. Under national ministerial leadership, we propose a registry could use data from health institutions, judicial bodies, law enforcement agencies, the coast guard, lifeguard services and non-governmental organisations. Reliable and timely data will increase limited public awareness and serve as a tool for political engagement. Improved data are also a vital component underpinning the development of a national water safety plan, as recommended by the WHO.

<div><table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tbody><tr><td align="left" valign="top"><p><em>Access to safe household drinking water remains a major environmental health concern in riverine rural communities that rely on untreated groundwater and refill water sources. Buluh Cina Village, located along the Kampar River in Riau Province, depends largely on shallow wells and refilled drinking water stations, many of which lack adequate disinfection and routine monitoring. This study aimed to conduct an integrated environmental health surveillance of household drinking water quality in Buluh Cina Village to identify microbiological and physicochemical risks relevant to local public health action. A cross-sectional surveillance study was conducted by collecting 30 water samples from points of access (supply) and 30 samples from points of use (ready-to-drink) in selected households using stratified random sampling. Laboratory analyses assessed microbiological parameters (Escherichia coli and Total Coliform), physical parameters (turbidity, color, and pH), and chemical parameters (iron, manganese, and residual chlorine), following the Indonesian Ministry of Health Regulation No. 2/2023. </em><em>Overall, 91.7% of samples did not meet national drinking water quality standards. Microbiological contamination was detected at both sampling points, with Escherichia coli present in 33.3% of PA samples and 46.7% of PU samples, and total coliform contamination in 53.3% of PA samples and 63.3% of PU samples. However, the differences between PA and PU were not statistically significant. Residual chlorine was absent or below the recommended level in 70% of samples, while turbidity, abnormal pH, and elevated iron and manganese were also observed.</em><em> These findings indicate significant environmental health risks associated with household drinking water in this riverine rural community. Priority public health actions include improving safe household water storage practices, increasing uptake of point-of-use disinfection, strengthening routine monitoring of refill drinking water depots, and integrating drinking water surveillance into primary health care center (puskesmas)-based environmental health workflows. This study provides locally grounded evidence to support targeted interventions for improving drinking water safety in riverine rural settings</em><em></em></p><p><em> </em></p></td></tr></tbody></table></div><strong><em>Keywords: </em></strong><strong><em> Buluh Cina Village, Drinking Water Quality, Environmental Health Surveillance, Household Water Safety, Kampar River</em></strong>

Correlation of Elastic Light Scatter pattern analysis of clinical and shellfish strains of Vibrio parahaemolyticus from New Zealand with virulence characteristics.

Using machine learning to predict heavy metal concentrations and induced health risks in drinking water distribution systems from key cities in China.

Electrolytically generated size-tunable micro-nano bubbles toward high-efficiency antibacterial applications in vitro.

Lead is a nonessential, toxic heavy metal that causes widespread environmental contamination, affecting humans, animals, plants, and ecosystems. Globally, an estimated 800 million children have blood lead levels (BLLs) above 5 µg/dL. Lead persists in the environment and accumulates in the body, particularly in bone, due to its chemical similarity to calcium. This review aimed to summarize the prevalence, environmental sources, molecular and cellular mechanisms, dose-dependent toxic effects, and mitigation strategies related to lead exposure. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar to identify relevant studies published between 2010 and 2025. Both peer-reviewed and gray literature were qualitatively synthesized. The findings indicated that lead exposure is pervasive, with detectable levels in 100% of participants in EU biomonitoring studies. In the United States, ~590,000 children under 5 years of age had BLLs above 3.5 µg/dL. Lead disrupts essential metal homeostasis, induces oxidative stress, causes mitochondrial dysfunction, disrupts calcium signaling, impairs heme synthesis, and triggers DNA damage, endoplasmic reticulum stress, cell membrane injury, and impaired signal transduction. Experimental studies in mice and chickens demonstrated dose-dependent accumulation in blood, tissues, and organs, accompanied by significant decreases in Zn, Fe, Mg, and Ca levels and elevated oxidative stress markers. Effective mitigation strategies include regulatory policies, environmental remediation, occupational safety measures, public health education, maternal and child health interventions, food and water safety measures, technological innovations, and continuous monitoring. This review showed that lead remains a significant public health threat and underscores the need for targeted and equity-focused interventions.

Food and Water Safety Practices and Preparedness of Ontarians at Home During Power Outages and Other Emergencies: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Comment on "On-site sanitation systems and fecal contamination in shallow groundwater in urban Indonesia: assessing influence of distance and rainfall variables" By G. L. Putri, A. M. Ilmi, R. Handayani, D. Iskandar, C. R. Priadi, J. Willetts, T. Foster; Water Research Volume 287 (Part B), 20 August 2025, 124431.

Water pollution remains a critical public health and development challenge in Sierra Leone, driven by inadequate sanitation, agricultural runoff, weak solid waste management, and limited governmental capacity. Community participation models including WASH Committees, Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS), Community-Based Monitoring (CBM), and low-cost water treatment initiatives have become essential tools for enhancing water safety and promoting sustainable water management. This study examines the mechanisms through which community participation improves water quality outcomes, using evidence from Bombali District and supplementary national data. This paper employs mixed method approaches and data was collected through questionnaire surveys, and analysis of water pollution reports, NGO databases, and government records. Results show that community participation enhances water quality through five main pathways: (1) improved governance and accountability; (2) strengthened operation and maintenance of water systems; (3) behavior change in sanitation and hygiene practices; (4) increased environmental protection of water sources; and (5) enhanced monitoring and rapid response to contamination. Results show active community participation significantly reduces fecal contamination (by ~60-70% in intervention areas), increases protected water points (from 18% to 94%), and decreases childhood diarrhea (from 31% to 11%). Local accountability, user fees, and community monitoring drive success. Barriers are poverty, flooding, and weak institutions. Policy recommendations scale community water governance.

Leave no one behind: An African perspective on the first World Health Organization Global Status Report on Drowning Prevention.

A review on membrane biofouling during downtime of pharmaceutical water treatment equipment: Risks, mechanisms, and control strategies.

Identification of priority management tributaries to protect drinking water sources in the Yangtze River mainstream: A novel framework based on simulated arsenic pollution incidents.

Drowning remains a leading cause of death in aquatic training activities within military courses, especially in Brazil, exacerbated by risk underestimation and unsafe practices. Despite its severity, systematic data on contributing factors and preventive strategies are scarce. To present evidence-based technical recommendations aimed at reducing fatal drownings involving aquatic activities in military courses. A Delphi method was employed, involving 16 experts in water safety to identify critical factors and develop consensus recommendations. The process included a literature review and analysis of publicly documented drowning cases. Recommendations were refined through multiple feedback rounds and were structured according to the systematic drowning timeline model, divided into three phases: pre-event, event and post-event. The proposed measures seek to mitigate risks, promote a prevention-oriented culture and ensure effective intervention in emergencies. Fourteen recommendations along three phases of the event addressed specific actions including instructor training, participant screening, safety infrastructure, rapid emergency response and coordination with hospital services. Sociedade Brasileira de Salvamento Aquático's recommendations offer a structured and applicable framework to reduce fatal drownings and its severity in military training environments related to pre-event, event and post-event. Their implementation should be tailored to the operational context of each unit, with continuous review, documentation and protocol updates to enhance safety standards.

Bisphenol A (BPA), a common industrial chemical and endocrine disruptor, poses serious health risks, highlighting the need for sensitive detection methods. We developed an artificial intelligence-assisted colorimetric biosensor integrating aptamer-target recognition-triggered hyperbranched rolling circle amplification (HRCA) with DNA-functionalized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs-DP) as visual probes. BPA binding induces aptamer conformational switching, initiating HRCA via Phi29 DNA polymerase to produce abundant DNA products that cause AuNPs-DP aggregation and distinct colorimetric changes. This enables direct visual detection with minimal background interference and high specificity, achieving an ultra-low detection limit of 0.575 pg mL-1. Colorimetric images analyzed using a ResNet-18 model allow rapid and accurate BPA quantification both locally and remotely. The proposed biosensor offers low cost, easy operation, and exceptional sensitivity, demonstrating strong potential for on-site water safety monitoring and practical biosensing applications.

Introduction: School-based swimming programs represent the primary opportunity for many children to acquire essential aquatic life skills, yet implementation varies significantly. Objective: The present research analyses existing evidence on school-based swimming (6–12 years) through the “Block 5C Framework” (Context, Content, Conduct, Coaching, and Consequences) to identify effective program configurations. Methodology: A systematic review was conducted, adhering to PRISMA 2020 guidelines, synthesizing 23 studies (2000–2026) from Scopus and Web of Science, utilizing the 5C framework to code curricular and pedagogical interactions. Results: Programs integrating water safety knowledge with technical skills, delivered through learner-centered pedagogies, produced superior aquatic competence. Instructor qualification and session frequency were critical determinants. Discussion: Effectiveness is context-dependent. High-resource settings often over-emphasize technique, while low-resource settings demonstrate that trained community instructors can achieve high survival rates through intensive blocks. Conclusions: Effective school swimming requires a holistic 5C configuration: supportive policy, safety-integrated content, engaging conduct, and specialized coaching.

Multiplex and sensitive detection of viruses in aquatic environments is of great significance for water safety monitoring. The application of photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensors in environmental analysis has been hindered by the recombination of photogenerated charges and signal cross-interference at single recognition interfaces. In this study, a programmable DNA-framework-mediated logic-gate-functionalized dual-distance-regulated PEC sensor was developed and successfully implemented for the detection of multiple viruses in water environments. By programming DNA frameworks, logic operation units such as OR, AND, OR-AND, and AND-OR were constructed to address the issue of cross-interference in multiplex detection signals. Additionally, dual-distance regulation, triggered by the signal factors of target nucleic acid amplification, serves to enhance the signal response and counteract the issue of low signal intensity caused by photogenerated charge recombination. The mechanisms of DNA conformational change-induced multiplex signal transduction and dual-distance regulation for signal enhancement were systematically elucidated. The constructed sensor exhibited a superior linear response to virus nucleic acids in the concentration range of 0.001-500 nM, with a detection limit as low as 7.7 fM. Furthermore, it demonstrated promising analytical performance for multiple coexisting virus nucleic acids in actual water samples. This study is anticipated to advance the application of single-interface PEC sensors in multiplex environmental analysis.

ABSTRACTIssue AddressedSwimming is an essential life skill for Australian children. Access to swimming lessons helps develop competence in the water. However, participation in swimming lessons among preschool‐aged children has declined in recent years, particularly following the pandemic. The New South Wales Government introduced the First Lap programme to encourage preschoolers' access to swimming lessons by providing AUS$100 vouchers during the 2021–2022 and 2022–2023 financial years. The programme aimed to increase participation in early swimming education and raise parental awareness of its importance for water safety. We assessed its economic impact from a policy perspective.MethodsWe surveyed registered First Lap providers and participating families to estimate programme benefits. Costs were sourced from the state government, with outcomes reported using standard cost‐benefit metrics. Subgroup analyses by Socio‐Economic Indexes for Areas quantiles examined variations in programme impact across community groups.ResultsA total of 100 providers and 14 126 parents/carers completed the surveys. Our findings suggest direct benefits of AUS$39.3 million against costs of AUS$28 million, yielding AUS$1.40 per dollar invested. Including indirect benefits increased total returns to AUS$62.3 million, or AUS$2.23 per dollar. Benefits consistently exceeded costs in both financial periods, with returns between AUS$1.38 and AUS$2.11 in 2021–2022 and AUS$1.43 to AUS$2.38 in 2022–2023. Subgroup analysis showed direct returns from AUS$1.40 to AUS$1.43 and AUS$2.22 to AUS$2.25 across socio‐economic groups.ConclusionsWe found strong economic support for the programme, with significant benefits across socio‐economic groups.So What?The findings suggest that the First Lap programme, providing swimming vouchers to preschoolers, is a cost‐effective initiative to help families access lessons and promote children's safety and health.

The October 2023 to 2024 cholera outbreak demonstrates significant challenges related to water quality and sanitation, especially in peri-urban areas with limited access to clean water. This study assesses the presence of faecal coliforms and Escherichia coli (E. coli) in drinking water sources across five townships, identified as cholera transmission hotspots, two months post the cholera outbreak in the Lusaka District. A total of 169 water samples were collected from protected sources, treated piped water, and unprotected sources, including dams and shallow wells. Faecal coliforms and E. coli were detected across all source types. Among unprotected sources, 92.3% (12/13) of samples contained ≥100 CFU/100 mL of both faecal coliforms and E. coli. Protected sources showed variable contamination, with 18.3% exceeding ≥100 CFU/100 mL for faecal coliforms and 15.4% for E. coli. Treated water sources showed the lowest contamination, with 88.5% of samples having no detectable faecal coliforms and 90.4% having no detectable E. coli. Zero-inflated negative binomial regression showed that treated water sources were associated with substantially lower faecal coliform counts compared with protected sources (PR = 0.11, 95% CI: 0.03-0.35), while unprotected sources exhibited higher contamination intensity (PR = 1.77, 95% CI: 0.94-3.31). Treated sources were significantly more likely to be structurally free of contamination, whereas unprotected sources had an extremely low probability of yielding zero counts. These findings indicate that current water safety conditions in Lusaka's cholera hotspot areas remain inadequate for preventing faecal-oral transmission.