Enhanced detection of animal-derived microbial hazards in forested catchments using high-volume ultrafiltration and amplicon-based microbial source tracking

Improved method sensitivity and specificity on closed catchment water sources is required for informed mitigation, public health assessment and economic benefit. This requires a context specific understanding of sources of microbes, validated methods for the detection of relevant zoonotic pathogens and faecal indicators and confidence in their reported microbe concentrations. The study aims to validate broadly applicable methods for improving quantification of microbial risks within closed catchment water sources.