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Gunnarsdottir MJ, Gardarsson SM, Eriksson M, Albrechtsen HJ, Bergkvist KSG, Rossi PM, Matilainen R, Hansen LT, Jensen PE, Maréchal JYA, Myrmel M, Kalheim FC, Persson KM, Bjerkén A, Bartram J. Implementing risk-based approaches to improve drinking water quality in small water supplies in the Nordic region - barriers and solutions. JOURNAL OF WATER AND HEALTH 2023; 21:1747-1760. [PMID: 38153709 PMCID: wh_2023_088 DOI: 10.2166/wh.2023.088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
Small water supplies face similar problems worldwide, regardless of ownership or management type. Non-compliance with water quality regulations is more frequent in small supplies than in large ones, as are waterborne disease outbreaks. The new European Union Drinking Water Directive requires risk-based approach (RBA) to secure water safety as is recommended in the World Health Organization's Guidelines for drinking water quality through 'water safety plans'. This is already in regulation in the Nordic countries, although less used in small supplies. In this research, we explore the challenges, barriers and possible solutions to implementing RBA and improving compliance in small supplies. This was achieved by conducting and analysing interviews with 53 stakeholders from all eight Nordic countries to produce recommendations for action by the different implicated actors. Our findings suggest the centrality of governmental policy, including support for continuous training, provision of simple RBA guidelines and increasing cooperation in the water sector. The Nordic experience reflects global challenges with small water supplies and the trend towards systematic preventive management epitomized in the framework for drinking water safety advocated by the World Health Organization since 2004.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria J Gunnarsdottir
- Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland E-mail:
| | - Sigurdur M Gardarsson
- Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Magnus Eriksson
- Åland Environmental and Health Protection Authority, Mariehamn, Åland
| | - Hans-Jörgen Albrechtsen
- Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Kim Steve Gerlach Bergkvist
- Fiskaaling Agriculture Research Station, Við Áir, Faroe Islands; Faroese Food and Veterinary Authority, Torshavn, Faroe Islands
| | - Pekka M Rossi
- Water, Energy and Environmental Engineering Research Unit, University of Oulu, Finland
| | - Riikka Matilainen
- Water, Energy and Environmental Engineering Research Unit, University of Oulu, Finland
| | - Lisbeth Truelstrup Hansen
- Arctic DTU Sisimiut - Ilinniarfeqarfik Sisimiut, Greenland; National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Pernille Erland Jensen
- Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark; Arctic DTU Sisimiut - Ilinniarfeqarfik Sisimiut, Greenland
| | - Judith Y A Maréchal
- Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark; Arctic DTU Sisimiut - Ilinniarfeqarfik Sisimiut, Greenland
| | - Mette Myrmel
- Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | | | | | | | - Jamie Bartram
- School of Civil Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
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Vieira JMP, Rodríguez S, Suarez P, Kramer R. lmplementation of a national regulatory framework for drinking water safety plans in Uruguay. JOURNAL OF WATER AND HEALTH 2023; 21:1448-1459. [PMID: 37902201 PMCID: wh_2023_101 DOI: 10.2166/wh.2023.101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2023]
Abstract
The establishment of national strategic frameworks for systematic scaling-up of water safety plans (WSPs) implementation needs to overcome major constraints: lack of legislation and policies, and the need for appropriate monitoring tools. In 2018, the Uruguayan regulator for energy and water services promulgated a regulation intended to ensure an ambitious and pragmatic strategy that supports and promotes WSP implementation and auditing at a national scale. The goal is to have all drinking water supply systems with their WSP implemented by 2030. For this, a demanding schedule was recommended considering the size of the drinking water supplies: (i) large systems serving more than 2,000 inhabitants and (ii) small and very small systems serving fewer than 2,000 inhabitants. A mandatory verification through internal and external audits was also established. This work describes the legal and regulatory framework as well as the challenges and opportunities that open up for the generalization of WSP implementation in Uruguay. Despite the impact of COVID-19 on working conditions for water suppliers, as for the year 2022, WSPs have been successfully implemented in 94 water systems serving more than 2.4 million people. Results of successful implementation and auditing processes are presented and discussed covering methods and outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose M P Vieira
- Department of Civil Engineering, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal E-mail:
| | - Sandra Rodríguez
- Unidad Reguladora de Servicios de Energía y Agua, Torre Ejecutiva Sur - Liniers 1324 Piso 2, CP 11100, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Paula Suarez
- Unidad Reguladora de Servicios de Energía y Agua, Torre Ejecutiva Sur - Liniers 1324 Piso 2, CP 11100, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Ricardo Kramer
- Unidad Reguladora de Servicios de Energía y Agua, Torre Ejecutiva Sur - Liniers 1324 Piso 2, CP 11100, Montevideo, Uruguay
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Teutschbein C, Albrecht F, Blicharska M, Tootoonchi F, Stenfors E, Grabs T. Drought hazards and stakeholder perception: Unraveling the interlinkages between drought severity, perceived impacts, preparedness, and management. AMBIO 2023; 52:1262-1281. [PMID: 37010693 PMCID: PMC10247940 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-023-01849-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The future risk for droughts and water shortages calls for substantial efforts by authorities to adapt at local levels. Understanding their perception of drought hazards, risk and vulnerability can help to identify drivers of and barriers to drought risk planning and management in a changing climate at the local level. This paper presents a novel interdisciplinary drought case study in Sweden that integrates soft data from a nationwide survey among more than 100 local practitioners and hard data based on hydrological measurements to provide a holistic assessment of the links between drought severity and the perceived levels of drought severity, impacts, preparedness, and management for two consecutive drought events. The paper highlights challenges for drought risk planning and management in a changing climate at the local level and elaborates on how improved understanding of local practitioners to plan for climate change adaptation can be achieved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Teutschbein
- Air, Water and Landscape Science, Department of Earth Sciences, Uppsala University, Villavägen 16, 75236 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Frederike Albrecht
- Department of Political Science and Law, Swedish Defence University, Box 278 05, 11593 Stockholm, Sweden
- Centre of Natural Hazards and Disaster Science (CNDS), Villavägen 16, 75236 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Malgorzata Blicharska
- Natural Resources and Sustainable Development, Department of Earth Sciences, Uppsala University, Villavägen 16, 75236 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Faranak Tootoonchi
- Air, Water and Landscape Science, Department of Earth Sciences, Uppsala University, Villavägen 16, 75236 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Elin Stenfors
- Air, Water and Landscape Science, Department of Earth Sciences, Uppsala University, Villavägen 16, 75236 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Thomas Grabs
- Air, Water and Landscape Science, Department of Earth Sciences, Uppsala University, Villavägen 16, 75236 Uppsala, Sweden
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Kousa A, Loukola-Ruskeeniemi K, Hatakka T, Kantola M. High manganese and nickel concentrations in human hair and well water and low calcium concentration in blood serum in a pristine area with sulphide-rich bedrock. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2022; 44:3799-3819. [PMID: 34698984 PMCID: PMC9587063 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-021-01131-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/09/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
We report the trace element status of residents living in areas with naturally sulphide-rich bedrock and soil in two municipalities in Finland, Sotkamo and Kaavi. Altogether, 225 people from these sparsely populated regions participated voluntarily by providing hair and blood samples. The concentrations of calcium, zinc and copper in serum as well as selenium and cadmium in whole blood did not show correlation with those concentrations in hair samples. Calcium concentration in serum was slightly lower in the sulphide-rich areas (median value 91.4 mg/l, n = 103) than in the areas with adjacent sulphur-poor bedrock (median value 93.6 mg/l, n = 82). The concentrations of Ni and Mn in hair correlated with those in drinking water. The highest Mn and Ni concentrations in the water samples from private wells were 1620 µg/l and 51 µg/l and the highest concentrations in human hair samples 36.44 mg/kg and 12.3 mg/kg, respectively. The challenge with elevated trace element concentrations in some well waters is well documented. In northern countries (Finland, Sweden, Norway and Canada), only 10% of the population depend on private well water, and 90% have access to monitored municipal water supplies. Compared with data available from sulphide mine sites globally, the nickel and manganese concentrations in human hair samples were high in our sulphide-rich study area at Sotkamo representing the trace element status of residents under natural conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Kousa
- Environmental Solutions, Geological Survey of Finland GTK, P.O. Box 1237, 70211, Kuopio, Finland
| | | | - Tarja Hatakka
- Environmental Solutions, Geological Survey of Finland GTK, P.O. Box 96, 02151, Espoo, Finland
| | - Marjatta Kantola
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), P.O. Box 2, 00791, Helsinki, Finland
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Afzal A, Rafique MS, Iqbal SS, Rafique M. Deportment of cobalt bismuth nanoferrites in Kevlar‐supported c
ellulose acetate
membranes for heavy metal‐salts rejection profile. J Appl Polym Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/app.52962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Amina Afzal
- Physics Department University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Lahore Pakistan
| | | | - Sadia Sagar Iqbal
- Department of Physics The University of Lahore (UOL) Lahore Pakistan
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Surface Water Intrusion, Land Use Impacts, and Bacterial Community Composition in Shallow Groundwater Wells Supplying Potable Water in Sparsely Populated Areas of a Boreal Region. Microbiol Spectr 2021; 9:e0017921. [PMID: 34730413 PMCID: PMC8567237 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00179-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Rural communities often rely on groundwater for potable water supply. In this study, untreated groundwater samples from 28 shallow groundwater wells in Finland (<10 m deep and mostly supplying untreated groundwater to <200 users in rural areas) were assessed for physicochemical water quality, stable water isotopes, microbial water quality indicators, host-specific microbial source tracking (MST) markers, and bacterial community composition, activity, and diversity (using amplicon sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene and 16S rRNA). Indications of surface water intrusion were identified in five wells, and these indications were found to be negatively correlated, overall, with bacterial alpha diversity (based on amplicon sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene). High levels of turbidity, heterotrophs, and iron compromised water quality in two wells, with values up to 2.98 nephelometric turbidity units (NTU), 16,000 CFU/ml, and 2,300 μg/liter, respectively. Coliform bacteria and general fecal indicator Bacteroidales bacteria (GenBac3) were detected in 14 and 10 wells, respectively (albeit mostly at low levels), and correlations were identified between microbial, physicochemical, and environmental parameters, which may indicate impacts from nearby land use (e.g., agriculture, surface water, road salt used for deicing). Our results show that although water quality was generally adequate in most of the studied wells, the continued safe use of these wells should not be taken for granted. IMPORTANCE Standard physicochemical water quality analyses and microbial indicator analyses leave much of the (largely uncultured) complexity of groundwater microbial communities unexplored. This study combined these standard methods with additional analyses of stable water isotopes, bacterial community data, and environmental data about the surrounding areas to investigate the associations between physicochemical and microbial properties of 28 shallow groundwater wells in Finland. We detected impaired groundwater quality in some wells, identified potential land use impacts, and revealed indications of surface water intrusion which were negatively correlated with bacterial alpha diversity. The potential influence of surface water intrusion on groundwater wells and their bacterial communities is of particular interest and warrants further investigation because surface water intrusion has previously been linked to groundwater contamination, which is the primary cause of waterborne outbreaks in the Nordic region and one of the major causes in the United States and Canada.
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