Antimicrobial Resistance in Used Water Treatment and Water Reuse

Antibiotic resistance is one of the most pressing global health threats of our time. The rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is largely attributed to the overuse and misuse of antibiotics in human medicine, agriculture, and animal husbandry – in short within the One Health concept. These resistant bacteria can contaminate water sources, posing a significant challenge for water reuse associated risks. As water scarcity becomes more prevalent due to increasing global demand and climate change, the reuse of wastewater for various purposes, including agricultural irrigation and potable uses, has been promoted as a sustainable solution. However, when wastewater contains antibiotic-resistant bacteria or antibiotic residues, its reuse can inadvertently spread these contaminants into the environment, further perpetuating the resistance problem. The linkage between antibiotic resistance and water reuse calls for improved wastewater treatment technologies. The information concerning antibiotics and antibiotic resistance in the context of water treatment is very heterogenous and difficult to access. This is why the DSWAP (detoxification systems for water and air pollutants) as a comprehensive strategy aims to gather, consolidate, and provide information on the efficiency of various water treatment technologies designed to remove pollutants from wastewater designated for water reuse.