
	Biological Integrity


	Introduction

	Aquatic Alien Invasive Species: Living with the Uncertainty of Biological Pollution in the Great Lakes

	Creating a Regional Approach: What We Can Do Better

	Implement a Great Lakes Biologically Protective Standard

	Require Certification of Technology to Achieve the Standard

	Require Enhanced Ballast Management Practices for No Ballast on Board (NOBOBs)

	Promote Ongoing Regional Cooperation

	Develop Measures to Ensure Compliance

	Enlist the Assistance of the International Joint Commission

	Recommendations

	Microbial Contamination

	Where are the Pathogens Coming From?

	Detecting Pathogens and Assessing Risks

	Gaps in Pathogen Detection

	The Emergence of New Pathogens

	The Walkerton Tragedy: A Lesson for the Great Lakes?

	As Population Grows, Water Infrastructure Must Be Updated

	Conclusions

	Recommendation

	Figures

Pathogenic Organisms

The Emergence of New Pathogens

Recently, scientists have recognized many new or re-emerging infectious disease agents not previously associated with waterborne disease.³⁸

Table 2. Waterborne Pathogens, Associated Illnesses, and the Source of Wastes ( the table is divided into two parts, click on a section to enlarge the top or bottom. )

Adapted from Swimming in Sewage, Table 1 Waterborne Pathogens (NRDC 2004)³⁹

Some experts believe that the massive and largely unregulated use of antibiotics in agriculture and aquaculture, coupled with the increasing number of antibiotic-resistant pathogens found in nature, may present the greatest risk to the aquatic environment and to public health.⁴⁰ Antibiotic-resistant bacteria have been spread in the environment through the indiscriminate use of antibiotics in human and animal health.⁴¹ If antibiotic-resistant bacteria are allowed to evade water treatment, or if they infect humans during recreational activities, finding appropriate remedies for the diseased individual will represent a much more difficult challenge to physicians.