Moving Beyond the Silos of Opportunistic Pathogen and Disinfection Byproduct Research to Improve Drinking Water System Management
Soojung Lee, Yue Sun, Shi Dong Fan, N A N Che Rahim, Yuhao Xian, Mohammad Kiron Shakhawat, Karina A. Chavarría, Matthew Vedrin, Seth D. Guikema, Lina Sela, Emily Kumpel, Mariana Lanzarini-Lopes, Yun Shen, Mary Jo Kirisits, Lutgarde Raskin, Sarah Potgieter, Katherine Dowdell, Aleksandra Szczuka
Abstract
, but temperature's effect on DBPs is species-dependent. Methods for quantifying the risks associated with OPs (quantitative microbial risk assessment) and DBPs (chemical risk assessment) are compared, finding that the numerous assumptions and data gaps associated with each method limit comparability across contaminant types. We highlight the urgent need to fill existing data gaps and develop a more unified risk framework so as to move toward holistic assessment of microbial and chemical risks. This review provides suggestions for future research, highlighting ways that researchers might utilize established practices in OP or DBP studies to further our understanding of the other. For example, analysis of source water organic matter composition, which has advanced our understanding of DBP formation, could be utilized to elucidate how source water characteristics influence OPs. This review bridges the gap between the OP and DBP disciplines, arguing that collaboration between the two is needed to address the pressing challenges facing water systems today.