KEYNOTE PRESENTATION: Testing the waters: Priorities for mitigating health risks from wastewater pollution

Professor David Butler, Co-Director, Centre for Water Systems, University of Exeter

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Introduction

 Why are we concerned about wastewater and public health?
 growing population & urbanisation
 impacts of climate change
 overloaded wastewater assets
 popularity of open water recreation
 Increased exposure of the public to wastewater pollution
 Changing public expectations
 Greater public awareness of water quality, pollution, complaints and reported health concerns.

Aim

 This report was instigated by the National Engineering Policy Centre (NEPC) and Professor Sir Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer for England

 Aim is to examine the interventions available to reduce the public health risks to people using public waters for recreation that may be polluted with faecal organisms from human waste. 

 Make recommendations to key stakeholders.