Research Areas > Contaminants > Bioanalytical Screening Tools for CECs

Project: Bioanalytical Screening Tools for Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs) in Recycled Water

Background and Objectives

Contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) represent a challenge for regulators, owing to limited scientific knowledge about their sources, fates, and effects. In 2009, the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) formulated a Recycled Water Policy that solicited recommendations from a panel of experts about which CECs, if any, should be included in monitoring programs for recycled water used to recharge groundwater aquifers and for landscape irrigation. In addition to a targeted list of CECs that are focused on the protection of human health, the Panel recommended in their final report the development of bioanalytical tools to provide a more comprehensive monitoring approach that would account for unknown chemicals and for those which no approved analytical methods exist. In vitro bioassays designed for high throughput toxicological screening of individual chemicals are excellent candidates for water quality applications. Many of these use engineered cells that respond predictably to CECs exhibiting the same mode of biological activity (e.g., those that cause genetic, immunological, or hormonal changes).

The goal of this project is to develop a CEC monitoring framework using a series of bioanalytical screening methods that can be integrated into existing recycled water monitoring programs. Objectives are to select bioanalytical methods based on a literature review, optimize the candidate assays for use in local recycled water monitoring applications, and develop a data interpretion framework for bioassay results based on relationships to higher order biological impacts.

Status

This project was initiated in 2011 with anticipated completion in 2014.

Methods

The research team will perform the following tasks:

1. Identify and select the most promising bioassays for different targeted human health endpoints.
2. Standardize water extraction methods for bioassay use and develop written protocols.
3. Evaluate and optimize bioassay performance via bench-scale and inter-laboratory comparison exercises, and develop written protocols for performing the methods.
4. Provide implementation guidance for stakeholders, including a workshop introducing the interpretive framework and proper application.
5. Coordinate project’s technical approach with similar efforts by the WateReuse Research Foundation, and exchange findings via a cross-project advisory committee.

Calendar

Partners

This project is being conducted in collaboration with the State Water Resources Control Board, California Department of Public Health, and the WateReuse Research Foundation.

Research Team:

• Nancy Denslow, University of Florida
• Keith Maruya, SCCWRP
• Daniel Schlenk, UC Riverside
• Shane Snyder, University of Arizona
• Sandy Westerheide, University of South Florida

Stakeholder Advisors:

• Charlie Carter, Test America
• Gary Dickenson, State Water Resources Control Board
• Dave Mazzera, California Department of Public Health
• Don McEnhill, Russian River Keeper
• Dave Smith, WateReuse Association California
• Vickie Wilson, US Environmental Protection Agency

WateReuse Research Foundation Project Team and Cross-Project Advisory Committee:

• Beate Escher, University of Queensland
• Frederic Leusch, Griffith University
• Erin Snyder, University of Arizona
• Shane Snyder, University of Arizona
• Julie Minton, WateReuse Research Foundation
• Wade Miller, WateReuse Research Foundation
• Michael Bartkow, Queensland Bulk Water Supply Authority
• Laura Kennedy, Kennedy/Jenks Consulting
• Menu Leddy, Orange County Water District
• Patrick Mangan, US Bureau of Reclamation
• Max Zarate-Bermudez, National Center for Environmental Health