Overview

Antibiotics are widespread and persistent contaminants in aquatic environments. They occur in urban water cycles (in surface, groundwater, drinking and waste waters) and in association with intensive animal rearing. Typically between 30–90% of the active compound gets excreted.

Globally, two-thirds of antibiotics produced are used on animals. With increased worldwide usage of antibiotics there is a growing risk of new drug-resistant microorganisms evolving when they interact with bacteria present in the water. This can lead to formation of so-called ‘superbugs’ and is currently of serious health concern.

Antibiotics and their metabolites are also under scrutiny over their wider ecological impact and interaction with water treatment systems. Consequently the need for stricter regulation of antibiotics in the environment is under review. The European Commission has recently included antibiotics on the updated Watch List under the Water Framework Directive and the UK Water Utility companies have an active Chemicals Investigation Programme to quantify the environmental inputs of selected antibiotics from wastewater outfalls across the UK.

The workshop will address the impact and fate of antibiotics in aquatic systems, mechanisms involved in the selection for antimicrobial resistance and implications for water treatment.

The material presented has not been peer-reviewed. Any opinions are the presenter's own and do not necessarily represent those of IChemE or the Water Special Interest Group. The information is given in good faith but without any liability on the part of IChemE.