The goal of this project is to better understand and predict occurrence of disinfection byproducts, opportunistic pathogens and the associated health risk tradeoffs posed by them in drinking water…

The goal of this project is to better understand and predict occurrence of disinfection byproducts, opportunistic pathogens and the associated health risk tradeoffs posed by them in drinking water distribution systems (dwds) across the continental U.S.activities:this project will develop a strategic monitoring program through partnership with public health departments and water utility managers and analysis of historic data to sample water for regulated and unregulated disinfection byproducts (dbps) and pathogens. The research will also conduct a chemical and quantitative microbial risk assessment and evaluation of risk-risk tradeoffs considering temporal, spatial and population dynamics.subrecipient:ohio state university ($115,121 EPA, $28,794 cost share) will help to complete the microbial risk assessments and lead the risk trade-off evaluation. Drexel university ($41,278 EPA, $9,945 cost share) will provide deep expertise and experience in water disinfection and risk assessment. The college of new jersey ($102,042 EPA, $33,000 cost share) will lead efforts to evaluate historic epidemiological and monitoring data to support development of a strategic sampling plan and assist with the risk trade-off evaluation. Clemson university ($716,806 EPA, $178,820 cost share) will lead the analytical assessment of regulated and unregulated dbps in drinking water samples collected in the project to evaluate occurrence and concentrations. Tulane university ($670,129 EPA, $167,431 cost share) will lead the microbial water quality analysis for opportunistic pathogens and other relevant parameters in drinking water samples collected in the project to determine occurrence and concentrations of species of interest. The NY state department of health ($46,000 EPA, $11,250 cost share) will participate in the selection and evaluation of health outcome and monitoring data related to legionella in NY state. They will provide research direction on strategic sampling in locations within dwds that may be of particular concern for sampling. Additionally, they will coordinate sampling within NY state water systems.outcomes:deliverables include publications, risk models, and data to inform decision support tools. This project will also host workshops and online communications to engage stakeholders as well as develop toolkit for communications outreach. The outcome of this work will enable movement away from routine monitoring for these hazards towards tools for more comprehensive water system evaluation, risk-based and prioritized monitoring strategies based on drinking water distribution system characteristics, and the biological, chemical, and physical parameters most likely to lead to elevated risks. Intended beneficiaries of this project include residents of new york, state and local government agencies, water utility managers, and site managers and operators.