National Priorities Grants: Evaluation of Antimicrobial Resistance in Wastewater
Researchers nation-wide are developing new methods to combat antimicrobial resistance in wastewater.
According to the EPA, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the environment is a growing public health concern, especially the spread of AMR into surface waters. Antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs) can move between humans, animals and the environment and make it more difficult to treat certain infections in animals and people. The World Health Organization and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have identified antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as one of the greatest threats to human health, and natural and treated water environments have increasingly been shown to play significant roles in AMR evolution and spread.
Wastewater treatment facilities are one of the major potential receptors and sources for ARB and ARGs. These facilities receive a mix of pathogens, resistant genes, and antimicrobial drug residues from multiple sources, including industry wastewater, households, and hospitals, all of which contribute to a high density of pathogens that enter the plant.
As treated wastewater is typically discharged to aquatic environments, these environments are potential exposure routes to transmit resistant pathogens and genes to humans and animals via irrigation, recreational use, or drinking water exposure. Although drinking water treatment processes are generally effective in reducing ARB and ARGs, both have nevertheless been detected in treated drinking water.
Because ARB and ARGs evolve rapidly and can move between the environment, humans, and animals, it is difficult to predict where and when resistance occurs. More information is needed to characterize the occurrence and significance of AMR found in treated municipal wastewater effluent and biosolids. In addition, new research is needed to provide a better understanding of the impact of AMR on receiving waters and risks related to AMR in treated wastewater discharge, water reuse, and biosolids.
To respond to these needs, EPA awarded $9 million in research grants to address knowledge gaps and better identify and manage antimicrobial resistance risk.
These projects will measure the environmental health impact of AMR in wastewater advance understanding in AMR evolution and spread. Grantees will study wastewater treatment systems across the country and review past literature and genomic data to assess AMR risk in wastewater. Projects involve developing a risk assessment framework, conducting a systematic review of genomic data and evaluating the fate of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria and genes in wastewater treatment processes.
