Scientists say “a reservoir of disease” is being created after discovering bacteria that naturally occur in rivers are becoming resistant to antibiotics due to the impact of sewage.
Researchers at the University of Suffolk said bacterial strains found on the non-tidal section of the River Deben in Suffolk had acquired resistance by exchanging DNA with antibiotic resistant E. coli.
Some bacteria have become resistant to the antibiotic carbapenem, which is used as the last line of defence in fighting infections already resistant to traditional antibiotics.
What can I do with my pee if I’m on them then? Let it evaporate on jars?
Edit: yes I’m making light of it but I’m also genuinely curious how we may mitigate this
Modern sewage water treatment plants to process sewage before it is returned to water courses and more funding to policing and auditing industrial facilities operating near bodies of water would probably go a long way in mitigating this.
We have the tech and skilled personnel to do it. It’s just that unless pressure is applied, many politicians will flaunt environmental regulations to fix their budgets. Some companies go years dumping into the river before a tip or report finally comes in and they’re investigated.