Antibiotics in the Water Environment:- Occurrence, Detection, Fate

Synopsis

Antibiotics are widespread and persistent contaminants in aquatic environments. They occur in urban water cycles (in surface, groundwater, drinking and waste waters) and in association with intensive animal rearing. Typically, between 30–90% of the active compound gets excreted. Globally, two-thirds of antibiotics produced are used on animals.

With increased worldwide usage of antibiotics there is a growing risk of new drug-resistant microorganisms evolving when they interact with bacteria present in the water. This can lead to formation of so-called superbugs’ and is currently of serious health concern.

Antibiotics and their metabolites are also under scrutiny over their wider ecological impact and interaction with water treatment systems. Consequently, the need for stricter regulation of antibiotics in the environment is under review. The European Commission has recently included antibiotics on the updated Watch List under the Water Framework Directive and the UK Water Utility companies have an active Chemicals Investigation Programme to quantify the environmental inputs of selected antibiotics from wastewater outfalls across the UK.

The workshop will address the impact and fate of antibiotics in aquatic systems, mechanisms involved in the selection for antimicrobial resistance and implications for water treatment.

For further information please visit RSC Conference and Events website.

Attendees

• Environmental regulators, planners and policymakers
• Drinking water regulator
• Water treatment engineers
•  Freshwater biologists
• Water Industry personnel
• Water quality managers
• Groundwater specialists
• Veterinary services and Animal Welfare
• Agriculture and Aquaculture sectors
• Analytical services
• Public health employees & pharmaceutical industry

Programme

Venue and Contact

Fees

CPD Info

SCI Members attending this meeting are able to claim CPD points.