Emerging pollutants of water supplies and the effect of climate change

Emerging pollutants (EPs) are the contaminants of concern inwater systems. These are mainly due to anthropogenic activities and are not always removed during water treatment, eventually affecting the quality of water supply systems (WSSs). These pollutants vary from organic pollutants such as pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and flame retardants to inorganic pollutants, like heavy metals or illicit drugs. Currently, there is a lack of adequate research on the chronic health effects of these pollutants. In addition, climate change plays a role in immobilizing these pollutants. Consequently, considering the increasing effects visible in many countries, the rising levels of contaminants have strained the effectiveness of water treatment facilities. As water supply is an essential service to communities, it is necessary to ensure the reliability against risks of EPs. Therefore, it is important to protect the health and safety of consumers. Climate change has brought threats to water infrastructures, like many others. This review examined the effect of climate change on EPs in water supplies by providing a detailed review of the contaminants, evaluating their potential toxicity, and determining the appropriate water treatment technologies. The role of the WSS in EP immobilization was examined in addition to the potential effect of climate change. This review of different critical and relevant literature aids with the identification of current research gaps. Based on the identified gaps, a research framework was developed for the future investigation of EPs.

Automated summary

Emerging pollutants (EPs) are contaminants in water systems that are mainly caused by human activities and are not always removed during water treatment, thus affecting the quality of water supply systems (WSSs). These pollutants include both organic pollutants (such as pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and flame retardants) and inorganic pollutants (such as heavy metals and illicit drugs). The chronic health effects of these pollutants have not been adequately studied, and climate change further complicates their removal. Therefore, it is important to protect the health and safety of consumers by ensuring the reliability of water treatment facilities against EPs.