Waterborne pathogen mitigation: Decoding techno-ecological synergies in multiscale transmission networks

Pathogen spread and infection represent paramount global challenges, their intricate transmission pathways fundamentally shaped by human behavior and anthropogenic influences. Here, we elucidate pathogen transmission networks in the environment and identify the increasing risks resulting from mutant viruses and resistant bacteria. We examine the advantages and limitations of techniques for pathogen detection and advocate the development of real-time, high-precision, point-of-need assays capable of detecting microorganisms in waterborne matrices, providing a new conceptual and technological approach to future detection methods. We also highlight the inadequate protection of existing centralized disinfection methods and propose the implementation of decentralized disinfection (i.e., chemical-free and energy-efficient point-of-use disinfection) as a form of multi-barrier protection throughout the different pathways of pathogen transmission. A robust and resilient ecosystem can prevent containment sources and inhibit the bioactivity of residual pathogens, and, when working in synergy with multi-barrier disinfection, can achieve a techno-ecological framework for pathogen mitigation. We further address the fact that data-driven technologies (e.g., artificial neural networks and machine learning methods) provide a route for intelligent detection-guided disinfection and the accurate selection of pathogen indicators that are directly relevant to human health. Finally, we highlight concerns regarding potential high-risk pathogens due to climate change.