Evidence of Avian and Possum Fecal Contamination in Rainwater Tanks as Determined by Microbial Source Tracking Approaches

Ahmed, Warish; Hamilton, Kerry A.; Gyawali, Pradip; Toze, Simon; Haas, Charles N.

doi:10.1128/aem.00892-16

Cited by 25 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…Also, fecal matter that contains these microorganisms can also be carried with the dust and windstorms and deposited on catchment areas. This finding is supported by a study carried by Ahmed, et al [36].…”

Section: Results Of Heavy Metals/microbiological Pollution Of Harvestsupporting

confidence: 80%

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2020

Review of Environment and Earth Sciences

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Article HistoryKeywords Rainwater harvesting Water quality Roof types Design Pollutants Community Health Rural development project Nigeria Community-based participation research.The rainwater quality harvested from rooftops in remote African communities has become a huge concern due to its potential risks on community health. This study addressed the effect of harvested rainwater quality and the design of the collection system from 3 common roof types on public health in Orsumoghu, Ihiala, LGA in Anambra State. This study employed the case study approach and mixed methods. Mixed methods combined the survey and laboratory methods. The survey method included field observation, interviews, photography and 250 questionnaires were randomly sampled. The laboratory method employed physic-chemical and biological analysis of rain water sampled from three (3) common rooftop systems in the area (aluminum, concrete, and zinc). The parameters analyzed were pH, temperature, hardness, conductivity, turbidity, TSS, TDS, COD, sulphates, Zinc, Lead, Cadmium and Coliform. Findings from the study showed that the poor design of RWHS coupled with mining and agricultural activities may have increased the concentration of atmospheric pollutants in the area. Findings proved that pH and three heavy metals (Zn, Ca and pb) were all above the WHO acceptable limits. Coliform as the bacterial indicator was present in the samples from aluminum and zinc roofs. However, concrete roof was free from pathogenic contamination. ANOVA analysis showed that there a difference between quality of harvested rainwater and WHO standard. To address this challenge this study recommended a community-based participatory research (CBPR) as an allinclusive tool to promote rooftop RHW design as a rural development project that would protect the rainwater quality and minimize health risks.Contribution/Originality: This paper contributes the first comprehensive analysis identifying (CBPR) as a tool for the sustainable rural development RHW project. It highlights the peculiar limitations of Rooftop RWH design in Orsumoghu where regulations, sanitary design and fittings are absent and hence, during collection varied pollutants are introduced leading to health risks.

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Section: Results Of Heavy Metals/microbiological Pollution Of Harvestsupporting

confidence: 80%

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2020

Review of Environment and Earth Sciences

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“…[23][24][25][26][27] FACTORS AFFECTING RHRW QUALITY Fecal indicator bacteria and pathogens can enter RHRW tanks through aerosol deposition, tree litter, and animal fecal matter, in addition to indigenous growth in biofilms and sediments. [28][29][30][31] While factors associated with FIB have been identified such as local wildlife, 32 factors associated with opportunistic pathogens in tank water are less well-characterized and have been linked to duration since previous rainfall for Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa). 33 In premise plumbing, elevated opportunistic pathogen concentrations have been linked to high water age, lack of disinfectant residual, elevated temperatures, and pipe material.…”

Section: Rainwater Usesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…43 High concentrations were also observed in Bangladesh (6000 CFU/ 100 mL) 44 and other Australian studies (~10 3 CFU/100 mL) 1,45,46 . The variability in E. coli concentrations observed in the studies has been linked to meteorological factors, 33 catchment location, roof and/or storage container materials, 36 the presence of wildlife near the roof, 32 laboratory method used, and location and/or timing of the sampling event relative to the previous factors. 33 Rainwater tanks are commonly maintained by individual owners, therefore, often data are not available in order to assess the water age or hydraulic factors for specific tanks.…”

Section: Rainwater Usesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As avian and possum associated markers were detected in RHRW, a potential link between the decline of the microbial quality of the RHRW and avian and possum feces was established. Ahmed and colleagues 32 also noted that the regular cleaning of rooftops and gutter systems and installing devices to prevent birds from perching on rooftops, will greatly reduce fecal contamination on the catchment area and subsequently in the RHRW.…”

Section: Microbial Source Tracking In Roof-harvested Rainwatermentioning

confidence: 99%

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A global review of the microbiological quality and potential health risks associated with roof-harvested rainwater tanks

et al. 2019

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A broad body of literature has been published regarding roof-harvested rainwater quality around the world. In particular, the presence of fecal indicator bacteria and pathogenic microorganisms has raised concerns regarding the acceptability of rainwater for potable and non-potable uses. As the use of molecular assays has improved understanding of the diverse microbial communities present in rainwater tanks and their role in providing benefits or harm to human health, a comprehensive review is needed to summarize the state of the science in this area. To provide a summary of microbial contaminants in rainwater tanks and contextual factors, a comprehensive review was conducted here to elucidate the uses of rainwater, factors affecting water quality, concentrations of fecal indicators and pathogens, the attribution of pathogens to host sources using microbial source tracking, microbial ecology, human health risks determined using epidemiological approaches and quantitative microbial risk assessment, and treatment approaches for mitigating risks. Research gaps were identified for pathogen concentration data, microbial source tracking approaches for identifying the sources of microbial contamination, limitations to current approaches for assessing viability, treatment, and maintenance practices. Frameworks should be developed to assess and prioritize these factors in order to optimize public health promotion for roof-harvested rainwater.

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“…Additionally, while research is needed to compare the various irrigation and wash water sources in this region, municipal water is generally lower in pathogens and less significantly impacted by animals than surface water sources. The use of rain barrel water, however, could be concerning given previous findings that such water may be contaminated by feces from animals on rooftops and birds [21].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Foodborne illness prevention in Debre Berhan, Ethiopia: Preliminary efforts to understand household agricultural practices

Craddock¹,

Maring²,

Grutzmacher³

2020

AJFAND

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While strategies to mitigate risks for foodborne illness and childhood diarrhea via sanitation and behavioral interventions have been explored, there is a dearth of knowledge about household practices regarding food production and use, livestock, and other sources of risk for foodborne illness in urban and peri-urban areas. The objective of this research was to increase understanding of household agricultural practices in Debre Berhan, Ethiopia in order to design targeted behavioral interventions to improve food safety and decrease diarrheal disease. A convenience sample of 21 teachers and parents were recruited for a mixed-methods pilot survey. The survey covered topical areas such as methods for growing, washing, and cooking produce, specifically focusing on practices in home vegetable gardens. Participants were also asked about fertilizers and manures used, animals on the property, and irrigation water sources. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and data were analyzed with SAS 9.2. The majority of participants (76.2%) reported growing some or all of their own food, and many used compost (62.5%) and manure (62.5%) as fertilizer. Uncomposted manure was used as fertilizer by half (50.0%) of respondents who reported the use of manure. Respondents most commonly reported raising chickens (23.8%), yet among those using manure, they most commonly reported using sheep or lamb manure as fertilizer (50%). Most (93.7%) respondents used municipal water to irrigate their crops, while none of the respondents reported using surface water to irrigate. Nearly all (95.2%) reported always washing their produce before eating it. Respondents most commonly requested education regarding how to more effectively grow produce. This study suggests that children and adults in Debre Berhan may have a high risk of exposure to pathogens via contact with uncomposted manure and multiple species of animals. Findings identify an opportunity for increased education in the topical areas of urban agriculture and diarrheal disease prevention. In particular, education regarding the safe utilization of manure as fertilizer could be included in agricultural extension programs. Additional research is needed to understand the extent of exposure via common household sources to pathogens that cause diarrheal disease.

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Evidence of Avian and Possum Fecal Contamination in Rainwater Tanks as Determined by Microbial Source Tracking Approaches

Cited by 25 publications

References 33 publications

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A global review of the microbiological quality and potential health risks associated with roof-harvested rainwater tanks

Foodborne illness prevention in Debre Berhan, Ethiopia: Preliminary efforts to understand household agricultural practices

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