‘Contaminants of emerging concern’ in wastewater: Are current analytical technologies, policy development and industry guidelines enough to protect human and ecological health?

• Main Authors: Patricia Hania, Kimberley Gilbride, Rania Hamza
• Format: Report
• Language: unknown
• Published: 2025
• Subjects: Wastewater treatment (including water treatment processes); Contaminants; Wastewater; Regulation; Ecosystems; Synergistic; First Nations
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.32920/29161043.v1; https://figshare.com/articles/report/_Contaminants_of_emerging_concern_in_wastewater_Are_current_analytical_technologies_policy_development_and_industry_guidelines_enough_to_protect_human_and_ecological_health_/29161043

The presence of 'contaminants of emerging concern' (CEC) in water sources is a well-documented phenomenon. The term CEC is broadly defined as compounds present in water sources that are not monitored or regulated currently. Research has shown that CEC discharged from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are present in downstream freshwater sources, which are relied upon for drinking water and fish habitat. However, the lack of a CEC regulatory framework for WWTPs combined with the narrow characterization of CEC as discrete chemicals without understanding the cumulative and synergistic impacts of these chemicals upon human and ecological health has resulted in a knowledge gap. Consequently, CEC scientific knowledge has not yet been translated to support the development of evidence-based decision-making tools and legal regulations that could protect freshwater sources, ecosystems, and human health, and be relied upon by municipalities and First Nations that are charged with operating WWTPs.