The 16th International Health Related Water Microbiology (WaterMicro) symposium was held in Rotorua, New Zealand, from 19 to 23 September 2011 – the first in the Pacific region.

Topics of discussion included the following: water pollution and diseases; microbial source tracking; catchment protection; water and sanitation in developing countries; diffuse pollution; recreational water and health; epidemiology of waterborne diseases; and microbial risk assessment.

Having the regional mandate on water and sanitation, the SPC’s Applied Geoscience and Technology Division (SOPAC) was invited to participate at the symposium, especially to share Pacific experiences, challenges and successful approaches in water and sanitation.

SOPAC Division also presented a Poster titled “Managing the risks of pollution at catchment level through drinking water safety planning”, a case study from Niue. From the total of eighty-nine (89) international posters presented, the SOPAC Division Poster was voted Best Poster at the symposium.

Attendance at the symposium enabled Pacific representation and provided the opportunity to network with microbiologists, virologists and water and sanitation practitioners globally to share experiences and lessons learned.

Photo caption: Niuean school girls

View the full poster (1.5Mb)