Medical Doctor
Dr. Ercole Spiteri, a public health doctor in Gozo, discussed the importance of drinking water, particularly in hot climates. He emphasized the necessity of adequate hydration for kidney function and overall health, especially for the elderly. Dr. Spiteri highlighted the challenges posed by climate change, including the increased risk of Legionella infection due to higher temperatures facilitating bacterial growth in water systems. He described his daily routine, which involves monitoring infectious diseases, contact tracing, and advising on public health matters.
Dr. Spiteri also discussed the importance of water cleanliness, the risks associated with stagnant water in household plumbing, and the need for regular inspection and maintenance of water systems. He mentioned that while tap water in Malta and Gozo is generally safe, issues like high chlorine levels and the presence of biofilms in pipes can pose health risks.
Regarding swimming pools, Dr. Spiteri identified parasites such as Giardia, Cryptosporidium, and Entamoeba histolytica as common concerns, explaining that these parasites can cause gastrointestinal illnesses and are resistant to chlorine.
He concluded with personal reflections on water, sharing memories of the sea and discussing the historical significance of water in Gozo’s Citadel. The interview underscored the complexities of ensuring safe drinking water and the ongoing public health efforts to mitigate waterborne diseases.
Sewage Treatment Operator
Jacqueline Hek is a water treatment operator, she manages the sewage treatment plant on Terschelling. Jacqueline takes us through the process of purifying sewage water into water that is clean enough to enter the sea. She talks about her finds in the sewage treatment plant, what has she learned about humanity? Water sample: sewage samples before treatment.
Senior Scientist
To what extent is the Dutch drinking water clean and safe to drink? And when is it clean enough? These and more questions will be answered by Roberta Hofmann. Hofmann is a senior scientist at KWR Water Research Institute. Her specialties are drinking water and wastewater treatment. The KWR tries to bridge science to practice in order to build the knowledge needed to address complex water challenges. We spoke with Roberta about the undesirable substances in the Dutch drinking water and what the processes are to remove them.
In hoeverre is het Nederlandse drinkwater schoon en drinkbaar? En wanneer is het schoon genoeg? Deze en meer vragen worden beantwoord door Roberta Hofmann. Hofmann is senior wetenschapper bij KWR Water Research Institute. Haar specialiteiten zijn drinkwater- en afvalwaterzuivering. De KWR probeert een brug te slaan tussen wetenschap en praktijk om de kennis op te bouwen die nodig is om complexe wateropgaven aan te pakken. We spraken met Roberta over de ongewenste stoffen in het Nederlandse drinkwater en wat de processen zijn om deze te verwijderen.