Most importantly, a workshop was organised by the ICC Water & Health, the Global Water Pathogen Group (GWPP) and the IWA Health-Related Water Microbiology SG, lead by Andreas Andreas Farnleitner and Joan Rose from Michigan State University, with input from Regina Sommer, Mats Leifels, Katalin Demeter and Claudia Kolm, among many renowned international researchers.
The workshop presented the preliminary results of the recently closed ‘Global survey on the use of genetic methods by water utilities, testing facilities and government agencies for microbiological water quality testing’. Almost 90 participants took part in the well-received workshop and actively discussed the opportunities and pitfalls of culture-independent assays. An online polling tool allowed the interactive engagement of the audience, giving valuable insights on key questions of the survey.
The results of the survey and the workshop will lead to an international publication with the participation of top global experts and important stakeholders in 2025 to discuss how the use of modern genetic methods should be handled in the daily practice of water management in the future in order to be reflected in standards, regulations, guidelines or laws.