Table 1.
Research to address critical IW criteria questions.
| Type of research required |
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Critical questions | Library computer simulation | Laboratory | Field | Study overview | |||
| Determinants of indicator-pathogen relationships in IW | X | X | X | L: Advance mechanistic modeling of FIB and pathogens, supported by sampling of water, sediment and soil in diverse IW. Repeated sampling to characterize the fate, transport, persistence, and re-growth | |||
| Sources of indicators, pathogens, and health risk | X | S: Meta-analysis of epidemiologic studies to evaluate fecal pollutant source as a modifier of the indicator–health risk relationship | |||||
| X | X | S: Optimize and anchor QMRA models based on prior epidemiologic study results | |||||
| X | X | S: Develop a sanitary survey tool for use in future IW epidemiologic and QMRA studies | |||||
| X | X | X | S: Field sampling of feces from agricultural animals and wildlife to determine human pathogenic potential and dynamics | ||||
| X | X | L: Epidemiologic studies conducted at diverse IW sites, each with a different dominant source of fecal pollution (agricultural animals, wildlife, urban runoff, wastewater) | |||||
| Molecular methods in IW: interpretation, standardization | X | S: Develop a database of relationships between rapid molecular-based and culture-based measures of indicator microbes described in the literature | |||||
| X | X | S: Characterize the persistence of specific molecular targets (human vs. other) in a variety of environmental settings and wastewater, looking at viable and nonintact cells and cell-free DNA | |||||
| X | X | S: Optimize, simplify, and standardize qPCR methods (particularly for source-specific markers) and other rapid methods; use these in epidemiologic studies | |||||
| X | X | L: Develop rapid methods for concentrating, identifying, and quantifying pathogens in recreational waters | |||||
| Modeling health risk and real-time water quality | X | X | QMRA validation studies, S (retrospective) and L (prospective) | ||||
| X | X | S: Measure real-time physicochemical, hydrologic, meteorologic parameters, with microbes | |||||
Abbreviations: S, short term (< 2 years); L, longer term (2–5 years).