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28 January 2019

Lecture: Introduction to QMRA and Relevance to circumpolar Household Water Uses

Author/Compiled by
Nicholas J. Ashbolt, University of Alberta, Canada
Executive Summary

In this lecture, pathogens relevant to circumpolar exposures will be identified, along with their use in quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) to provide information necessary for water safety plans that aid in the management of pathogen risks. Risk is the likelihood x consequence of exposure to hazards, where pathogen risks generally dominate risks associated with water exposures.

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Background
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Quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) is used to underpin WHO, U.S.EPA and other water-related guidelines/regulations internationally, particularly in specifying treatment requirements to address enteric viral, bacterial and protozoan pathogens in any source water - end use combination. More recently QMRA has been integrated with life-cycle assessment (LCA) and life-cycle costing (LCC) so as to provide a more holistic (sustainability) assessment of options.

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Learning Objectives
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At the end of this lecture students will be able to:

  • Identify key steps in undertaking a quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA)
  • Understand selection of reference pathogens appropriate for circumpolar QMRAs of water service options
  • Link QMRA within a broader sustainability system analysis of water services
  • Practice in undertaking the key steps in a QMRA
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Lecture
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Library References

Using QMRA and LCA to assess Management Options in urban Water and Sanitation Infrastructures: Opportunities and unresolved Issues

Using QMRA and LCA

This paper highlights opportunities and unresolved issues related to the concurrent use of QMRA and LCA, such as assumptions in translating chemical and pathogen health impacts to a common metric or other mode structure and parameterisation aspects.

HARDER, R. et al. (2017): Using QMRA and LCA to assess Management Options in urban Water and Sanitation Infrastructures: Opportunities and unresolved Issues. In: Microbial Risk Analysis: Volume 5 , 71-77. URL [Accessed: 19.06.2018]

Cost, Energy, global Warming, Eutrophication and local Human Health Impacts of Community Water and Sanitation Service Options

This paper compares water and sanitation system options for a coastal community across selected sustainability metrics, including environmental impact (i.e., life cycle eutrophication potential, energy consumption, and global warming potential), equivalent annual cost, and local human health impact.

SCHOEN, M. E. et al. (2017): Cost, Energy, global Warming, Eutrophication and local Human Health Impacts of Community Water and Sanitation Service Options. In: Water Research: Volume 109 , 186–195. URL [Accessed: 19.06.2018]
Further Readings

Water Quality: Guidelines, Standards and Health - Assessment of Risk and Risk Management for Water-related Infectious Disease

The quality of water, whether it is used for drinking, irrigation or recreational purposes, is significant for health in both developing and developed countries worldwide. Water quality can have a major impact on health, both through outbreaks of waterborne disease and by contributing to the background rates of disease. Accordingly, countries develop water quality standards to protect public health. Recognising this, the World Health Organization (WHO) has developed a series of normative “guidelines” that present an authoritative assessment of the health risks associated with exposure to health hazards through water and of the effectiveness of approaches to their control.

FEWTRELL, L. and BARTRAM, J. (2001): Water Quality: Guidelines, Standards and Health - Assessment of Risk and Risk Management for Water-related Infectious Disease . IWA Publishing URL [Accessed: 07.06.2018]

Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment Application for Water Safety Management

The World Health Organization’s (WHO) water quality guidelines recommend a preventive, risk-based approach to water quality management from source to exposure for the management of microbial hazards. Risk assessment therefore plays a central role in implementing the guidelines through the development of water safety plans (WSPs) and sanitation safety plans (SSPs).

WHO (2016): Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment Application for Water Safety Management. World Health Organization (WHO) URL

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