Dr. Natalie Henrich, Center for Health Evaluation and Outcome Sciences

Dr. Bev Holmes, Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research

Applied Metagenomics of the Watershed Microbiome

Benefits and challenges of new water quality tests: what do stakeholders think?

Objective: To understand stakeholders’ perspectives on the new water quality tests

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The questions

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1. How could the tests be useful?

2. Why might the tests not be useful?

3. How can communicating about water

quality with the public be improved?

Methods

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• Policy makers• Watershed managers• Laboratory managers• Farmers• Water communicators

in the health authorities

• The public from pilot watersheds

• Lay experts

Uses of the tests

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• Evidence available to inform: watershed management & source water

protection water treatment use of recreational and drinking water use of activities that impact water quality

• More rapid and effective response to contamination events

Potential test limitations

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• Understanding the implications of the test results Do identified microbes pose a health

threat? How should behaviour change?

• Relevance for drinking water Are microbes present post-treatment?

• Will policies permit decisions based on new tests?

Other limitations to perceived usefulness of tests

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Public: Fecal contamination generally not seen

as harmful More concerned about chemical

contamination

Farmers: Limited use of surface water Concerns about regulatory impacts

Aligning public needs with communications

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Is there a problem with our water?

There’s a problem with your water!

Aligning public needs with communications

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Is it safe to swim today?

Here are the test scores!

Aligning public needs with communications

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Where can we find reliable information about water quality?

The HA websites post test scores.

The value of stakeholder perspectives

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Can inform:• Test design• Implementation strategy (to uptake)• Future research agenda/funding

2-way street between science and publics