Dr. Jill Stewart, a Professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences & Engineering, and colleagues published an article in the International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health this week. This article examined the effect of a new drinking water treatment plant on microbial drinking water quality at the point-of-use on San Cristóbal Island, Galapagos using fecal indicator bacteria total coliforms and Escherichia coli. The results demonstrate that E. coli contamination was not predictive of contamination by human waste, suggesting that observed bacteria contamination may have environmental origins. These findings indicate the need for a holistic approach to drinking water infrastructure improvements in order to deliver high quality water to the residents of San Cristóbal, Galápagos.
This article is co-authored by Kelly Houck, a doctoral candidate in Anthropology, whose dissertation research examines water quality and child health on the Galápagos Islands. Read the full article using the citation below.
Gerhard WA, Choi WS, Houck KM, Stewart JR. (2017). Water quality at points-of-use in the Galapagos Islands. International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health. 220(2, Pt B): 485- 493.