AQUASAFE - Water quality monitoring of the future

• Project number: SC15-016
• Project Management: Andreas Farnleitner, Karl Landsteiner Private University for Health Sciences / Department of Water Quality and Health
• Project partners: University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vienna / Institute of Bioanalytics and Agro-Metabolomics, Vienna University of Technology / Institute of Process Engineering, Environmental Engineering and Technical Biosciences, EVN Wasser GmbH
• Project duration: 41 months from 01 September 2017

Background

The diagnosis of genetic faecal markers has the potential to revolutionise water analysis. Pioneering applications have so far been mainly in the quality management of bathing and recreational waters and aquaculture. The possibilities and potential of such methods for monitoring drinking water resources in the context of water safety plans have hardly been investigated. The proposed translational research project evaluates the status as well as further necessary development steps for the application of genetic faecal markers in the context of water safety plans. Faecal genetic markers have the potential to significantly extend the current standard method for faecal trace detection based on faecal bacteria E. coli and enterococci. Genetic faecal markers enable the determination of the origin of potential faecal inputs to water and close the gap between standard methods of faecal analysis and microbial risk assessment. A sufficiently high faecal sensitivity as well as specificity for the faecal sources to be detected is an essential prerequisite for this. For this research project, a new strategy to achieve the required performance characteristics is proposed, based on a combination of bacterial and mitochondrial genetic markers. The concept will be evaluated using important faecal sources, representative water resources in Lower Austria and significant disinfection methods. The investigations will be compared with common standard methods for the determination of faecal inputs as well as for the general characterisation of microbiological water quality. Specific chemical parameters are included with regard to their suitability for supporting the application of genetic faecal markers. The area of "Intelligent Indication Systems and Diagnostics" was selected as one of three priority topics for the thematic area of water in the course of the RTI Strategy 2020 of the province of Lower Austria. The proposed translational research project thus contributes directly to the implementation of the state's research strategy. In addition, the project stimulates promising research activities between the newly founded Karl Landsteiner University in Krems, the renowned analysis centre IFA Tulln and the Inter-University Cooperation Centre Water & Health. EVN Wasser GesmbH, the largest water supplier in Lower Austria, is also involved in the project. The translational research project can therefore be understood as an essential contribution of internationally visible water research with practical problems of a leading water supplier in the field of securing, monitoring and sustainable management of drinking water supply. The expertise gained will contribute to further strengthening the leading role of water research and water management in Lower Austria in the Danube region.