Treated effluent can be reused for the irrigation of parks and sports grounds but there is an associated potential public health risks from microbial pathogens present on the grass surface, particularly when used for contact sports. The main aim of this study was to investigate the survival of pathogenic and indicator microorganisms on the grass surface of a sports ground irrigated with treated effluent under differing climatic conditions. Results showed that Salmonella enterica serotype typhimurium, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus decayed faster under direct sunlight than MS2 with one log10 reduction (T90) varying from 3 to 11 hours. Rapid decay (T90 3 to 4 hours) of bacterial pathogens occurred in both sunlight and shade during the summer. In contrast, T90 times for the bacteria during the winter varied from 6 to 11 hours in direct sunlight and from 23 to 38 hours in shade. No significant seasonal variation was observed in the inactivation of the bacteriophage MS2. Enteric viruses are expected to show inactivation rates similar to MS2. The results show that rapid inactivation of enteric bacteria can be expected on grass surface irrigated with treated effluent at higher ambient temperatures, in direct sunlight and low moisture content.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
Research Article|
January 01 2008
Survival of enteric microorganisms on grass surfaces irrigated with treated effluent
J. P. S. Sidhu;
1CSIRO Land and Water, Underwood Avenue, Floreat, Perth, Western Australia, 6014, Australia
E-mail: [email protected]
Search for other works by this author on:
J. Hanna;
J. Hanna
1CSIRO Land and Water, Underwood Avenue, Floreat, Perth, Western Australia, 6014, Australia
Search for other works by this author on:
S. G. Toze
S. G. Toze
1CSIRO Land and Water, Underwood Avenue, Floreat, Perth, Western Australia, 6014, Australia
Search for other works by this author on:
J Water Health (2008) 6 (2): 255–262.
Article history
Received:
December 01 2006
Accepted:
April 07 2007
Citation
J. P. S. Sidhu, J. Hanna, S. G. Toze; Survival of enteric microorganisms on grass surfaces irrigated with treated effluent. J Water Health 1 June 2008; 6 (2): 255–262. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/wh.2008.029
Download citation file: