Water Quality and Health Aspects of Water Consumption

Dear Colleagues,

Water is an important abiotic element of the environment. Through it, the human body is exposed to xenobiotics, natural substances which are harmful to health, as well as infectious and invasive agents. The health risks associated with the presence of toxic chemicals in drinking water are different from those associated with microbial contamination. As a rule, microbial contamination leads to sudden illness emergencies. In turn, chemical pollutants cause undesirable health effects after the prolonged consumption of contaminated water. Particular threats are posed by pollutants with cumulative potential, such as heavy metals or carcinogenic substances. There is also a growing risk related to the penetration of pharmacological substances into sewage systems. The continuous improvement of methods of water purification by modifying processes and technological systems does not ensure the maintenance of chemical and biological stability of the water introduced to the water supply system. As a result, the quality of water at recipients is often different than the quality of water introduced to the water supply network, as it is subject to secondary contamination in the distribution system. Organic compounds of natural and anthropogenic origin in the water can form so-called by-products that are one of the factors responsible for human cancer. In turn, microorganisms present in tap water are the result of imperfections in the treatment and disinfection processes as well as failures and leaks in distribution systems. The increased number of microorganisms in the case of water stagnation leads to the formation of biological membranes on the inner surfaces of water pipes, and, as a result, to secondary microbial contamination of the water. It may constitute a reservoir of many microorganisms, including pathogenic and conditionally pathogenic microorganisms, among which there may be antibiotic-resistant microorganisms, which are an indirect cause of risk to consumers' health.

This Special Issue is looking for original research and review articles on novel approaches to predicting the biological effects that chemical and microbiological contamination of water can cause. Particular emphasis should be placed on activities aimed at monitoring and reducing the negative effects of human activity on the aquatic environment, while ensuring people's quality of life.

Dr. Katarzyna Piekarska
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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• surface water
• drinking water
• tap water distribution system
• chemical and microbiological contamination of water
• micropollutants
• antibiotic resistance
• by-products of water disinfection
• genotoxicity
• biofilms
• microbiological, chemical and ecotoxicological assessments
• public health
• water safety
• health risk assessment