Biological water quality - part 1

In this video, Professor Jo Cable explains how waterborne pathogen, diseases and other kinds of widespread infections, reach people and animals through contact with contaminated water.

These are some of the largest causes of illness and even death across the world.

Many organisms present in freshwaters can cause illness and even death when consumed by humans and animals. These organisms, mainly bacteria, protozoa, virus and algae, enter into streams, rivers and lakes either naturally, or during the release of improperly treated sewage or waste waters.

Biological quality is an important factor to determine the quality and therefore security of water. It’s more important than chemical quality in terms of direct effect on human health. Waterborne parasites, in particular, are a serious concern across the world.

They’re incredibly abundant and diverse, to the extent that added together their biomass is equivalent to that of all birds on our planet.