Project Page Views: [ 614 ]
| Project Metadata Element | Details |
| Project Title | The microbiological status of Irish groundwater in relation to human health |
| Research Area | Water |
| Project Acronym | |
| Principal Investigator or Lead Irish Partner | Vincent O'Flaherty |
| Lead Institution or Organisation | National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG) |
| Lead Country | Ireland |
| Latitude, Longitude (of Lead Institution) | 53.27905, -9.05794 |
| Lead Funding Entity | Environmental Protection Agency |
| Approximate Project Start Date | 01/11/2003 |
| Approximate Project Finishing Date | 01/10/2009 |
| Project Website (if any) | |
| Links to other Web-based resources | |
| Project Keywords | Biological Contamination; Drinking Water; Human Health; Groundwater |
| Project Abstract | Biological contamination of drinking water presents a significant risk to human health. Drinking water is traditionally analysed for coliform bacteria, indicators of biological contamination, but drinking water derived from groundwater is not routinely treated prior to supply in Ireland. This project will determine the microbial load in groundwaters from a number of hydrogeological settings, using culture-independent screening. Microbial occurrence in groundwater will be related to supply site characteristics and hydrogeochemistry. Sources of pathogens will be assessed at a number of sites and related to potentially polluting activities. The risk to human health posed by contaminated groundwater will be evaluated and suitable abatement /treatment systems will be recommended. |