California’s experiences with bioanalytical screening included in new international guidance documents

California’s recent experiences incorporating bioanalytical screening technology into recycled-water monitoring programs are prominently featured in a newly developed set of international guidance documents intended to promote adoption of the technology across the European Union and other parts of the world.

The guidance documents – unveiled during a September workshop hosted by the international Global Water Research Coalition (GWRC) – cover sampling strategies, selection and application of relevant bioanalytical tools, and interpretation and monitoring of trigger levels. SCCWRP’s Dr. Alvina Mehinto contributed to the documents as a member of the project’s international nine-member advisory group.

SCCWRP also shared with the group the experiences and lessons learned from California, which became the first entity in the world to require the use of bioanalytical screening technology for monitoring recycled water for potable reuse under a 2018 State policy amendment.

Already, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has begun discussing how to use the GWRC workshop’s products to recommend development of policy around bioanalytical screening technology. During an OECD workshop in October, SCCWRP was invited to share perspectives from California on regulatory implementation of the tools.