A Critical Review of Applications of Q MR A for Healthy and Safe Reclaimed Water Management

摘要

Reclaimed water use is being propounded as the best alternative source to address water demand concerns. Apprehensions exist concerning the microbial risks to the environment and public health. However, there is a growing interest in the risk assessment approach that can assimilate scientific and statistical programs to predict microbial risks in reclaimed water and ensure safe reuse. Quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) is a systematic framework for predicting this risk in either infection, illness or death. The present review provides insight into the current state of knowledge about the reclaimed water, its potential reuse applications, components of the QMRA framework and its application for reclaimed water management. The emphasis is placed on fundamental ideas and how the QMRA framework is applied to ensure the safe use of reclaimed water. This paper summarizes the challenges and knowledge gaps that require brainstorming and better understanding. The focus is to view the QMRA framework as a corresponding discipline that creates value for achieving sustainable reclaimed water reuse, not as a barrier.