Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 1590548 |
| Journal | Frontiers in Water |
| Volume | 7 |
| Publication status | Published - 20 Jun 2025 |
Abstract
In the face of growing climate change challenges and increasing uncertainty over water availability, roof-harvested rainwater emerges as a promising alternative source in urban settings. At the Welfengarten campus, rainwater from the main building's roof feeds a pond that overflows into a park. However, concerns arise about potential waterborne diseases affecting children interacting with the pond. This study assessed the microbiological water quality of the urban pond and the associated health risks. Bi-monthly water sampling was conducted in 2020 and 2021, field observations documented interactions with the pond, and a microbial risk assessment quantified health risks from recreational exposure, addressing a critical gap in urban water safety research. Microbial analysis showed Total coliforms (4.41 × 101 to 2.42 × 103 MPN/100 mL), E. coli (5.20 × 100 to 4.61 × 102 MPN/100 mL), Enterococci (1.60 × 101 to 1.73 × 103 MPN/100 mL), Salmonella spp. (2.00 × 102 to 2.10 × 104 CFU/100 mL) and P. aeruginosa (4.00 × 100 to 6.00 × 103 MPN/100 mL). QMRA results showed maximum daily infection probabilities of 3.18 × 10−1 for Enterococci and 2.48 × 10−1 for Salmonella spp., exceeding the USEPA benchmark (3.60 × 10−2), while other bacteria remained below it. Given the lack of water quality guidelines for these environments, regular monitoring, particularly during summer, is recommended to safeguard public health and guide future water management policies.
Keywords
- gastrointestinal illnesses, microbial risk assessment, microbiological water quality, recreational interaction, roof-harvested rainwater, waterborne diseases
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Environmental Science(all)
- Water Science and Technology
Sustainable Development Goals
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In: Frontiers in Water, Vol. 7, 1590548, 20.06.2025.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Rainwater management and associated health risks
T2 - case study on the Welfengarten campus of the Leibniz University of Hannover, Germany
AU - Carpio-Vallejo, Estefania
AU - Düker, Urda
AU - Nogueira, Regina
N1 - Publisher Copyright: Copyright © 2025 Carpio-Vallejo, Düker and Nogueira.
PY - 2025/6/20
Y1 - 2025/6/20
N2 - In the face of growing climate change challenges and increasing uncertainty over water availability, roof-harvested rainwater emerges as a promising alternative source in urban settings. At the Welfengarten campus, rainwater from the main building's roof feeds a pond that overflows into a park. However, concerns arise about potential waterborne diseases affecting children interacting with the pond. This study assessed the microbiological water quality of the urban pond and the associated health risks. Bi-monthly water sampling was conducted in 2020 and 2021, field observations documented interactions with the pond, and a microbial risk assessment quantified health risks from recreational exposure, addressing a critical gap in urban water safety research. Microbial analysis showed Total coliforms (4.41 × 101 to 2.42 × 103 MPN/100 mL), E. coli (5.20 × 100 to 4.61 × 102 MPN/100 mL), Enterococci (1.60 × 101 to 1.73 × 103 MPN/100 mL), Salmonella spp. (2.00 × 102 to 2.10 × 104 CFU/100 mL) and P. aeruginosa (4.00 × 100 to 6.00 × 103 MPN/100 mL). QMRA results showed maximum daily infection probabilities of 3.18 × 10−1 for Enterococci and 2.48 × 10−1 for Salmonella spp., exceeding the USEPA benchmark (3.60 × 10−2), while other bacteria remained below it. Given the lack of water quality guidelines for these environments, regular monitoring, particularly during summer, is recommended to safeguard public health and guide future water management policies.
AB - In the face of growing climate change challenges and increasing uncertainty over water availability, roof-harvested rainwater emerges as a promising alternative source in urban settings. At the Welfengarten campus, rainwater from the main building's roof feeds a pond that overflows into a park. However, concerns arise about potential waterborne diseases affecting children interacting with the pond. This study assessed the microbiological water quality of the urban pond and the associated health risks. Bi-monthly water sampling was conducted in 2020 and 2021, field observations documented interactions with the pond, and a microbial risk assessment quantified health risks from recreational exposure, addressing a critical gap in urban water safety research. Microbial analysis showed Total coliforms (4.41 × 101 to 2.42 × 103 MPN/100 mL), E. coli (5.20 × 100 to 4.61 × 102 MPN/100 mL), Enterococci (1.60 × 101 to 1.73 × 103 MPN/100 mL), Salmonella spp. (2.00 × 102 to 2.10 × 104 CFU/100 mL) and P. aeruginosa (4.00 × 100 to 6.00 × 103 MPN/100 mL). QMRA results showed maximum daily infection probabilities of 3.18 × 10−1 for Enterococci and 2.48 × 10−1 for Salmonella spp., exceeding the USEPA benchmark (3.60 × 10−2), while other bacteria remained below it. Given the lack of water quality guidelines for these environments, regular monitoring, particularly during summer, is recommended to safeguard public health and guide future water management policies.
KW - gastrointestinal illnesses
KW - microbial risk assessment
KW - microbiological water quality
KW - recreational interaction
KW - roof-harvested rainwater
KW - waterborne diseases
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=105009891021&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3389/frwa.2025.1590548
DO - 10.3389/frwa.2025.1590548
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:105009891021
VL - 7
JO - Frontiers in Water
JF - Frontiers in Water
M1 - 1590548
ER -