How scientists can mine wastewater to find drug-resistant bacteria

Wastewater from a factory in Nairobi. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

People often think of wastewater as serving no purpose. But it can be a valuable source of information. Wastewater is increasingly recognised as a significant environmental reservoir for antimicrobial resistance - a growing global public health threat.

Antimicrobials are medicines, including antibiotics and antivirals, used to treat infections in humans, animals and plants. But the excessive use of antimicrobials has resulted in many microorganisms becoming resistant to these important medicines. This, in turn, has led to the development of complicated and sometimes untreatable diseases.