Water Resources Research Act Program

Principal Investigators: Kien Lim

Abstract: Many types of pathogens can be found in contaminated water, including Escherichia coli (E. coli), Cryptosporidium, Giardia lambilia, some protozoa and viruses such as hepatitis A virus, rotaviruses, and Norwalk and other Caliciviruses. Infection by these pathogens can range from self-limiting diarrhea to life threatening illnesses. Therefore we want to find ways to prevent infection of pathogens due to water contamination; when the water source is contaminated many in the general public will be affected. There are many methods available to test for pathogens in water. Most techniques require overnight culture to produce high cell numbers before screening to confirm the presence of a pathogen can be carried out. These methods are very time consuming and due to the time needed for the culturing and screening procedures, many more people might have already being infected before the results are confirmed so the public can be informed.