Water and Biotechnologies

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) threatens the very core of modern medicine and the sustainability of an effective global public health response to the enduring threat from infectious diseases. Whilst water contamination by antibiotics was once a hypothesis, currently it is a reality. The scientific evidence of its negative effects on the aquatic environment and human health are numerous and unquestionable. That’s why it is important to tackle AMR with multi-sectoral coordination and sector-specific responses.

Significant attention is being brought to the presence of antibiotic residues in the environment because of their potential adverse effects on ecosystems and human health. Antibiotic residues are likely to lead to the development and spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes.

Freshwater represents only 2.5% of the water available on the planet. With the rapid increase in the world population, the acceleration of urbanization and global warming, this resource is becoming scarce. It is now a major environmental, societal, and economic challenge for cities and industry. Reusing wastewater is one of the solutions capable of meeting this challenge.