Integrated global assessment of Escherichia coli emissions from wastewater treatment plants

2025/12/16 by Wen Li, Qingbin Yuan, Xiaolong Wang +6 · 1 voice
Environmental Science · Nursing · #Fecal contamination and water quality #Wastewater Treatment and Reuse #Child Nutrition and Water Access

paper · doi:10.1016/j.eehl.2025.100209

openalex created_date 2025/12/16 · openalex publication_date 2025/12/16 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/23

Abstract

discharge standards based on reverse risk modeling aligned with WHO health-based targets. Scenario analyses indicate that combining these risk-informed thresholds with targeted disinfection upgrades could reduce global non-compliance of WWTPs by 47% for drinking water and 58% for recreational water exposure, with the greatest benefits in regions with limited infrastructure. This study provides the first global, health-based framework for microbial water quality management in WWTPs, offering actionable guidance to reduce inequities in waterborne disease risk and improve global water safety.

Citations

• Contributions of recycled wastewater to clean water and sanitation Sustainable Development Goals
• CatBoost for big data: an interdisciplinary review
• Effectiveness of interventions to improve drinking water, sanitation, and handwashing with soap on risk of diarrhoeal disease in children in low-income and middle-income settings: a systematic review and meta-analysis
• Learning from data with structured missingness

Discussions

• 🌍Using ML, this study maps global E. coli emissions from 58,502 WWTPs worldwide. 78.3% exceed 3 log MPN/100 mL. HDI-stratified discharge standards and disinfection upgrades could reduce non-complianc [bsky, 0 points, 0 comments]