Water Testing: Advancing the Drinking Water Microbiome and Its Connections to Health and Sustainability

This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3, SDG 6 and SDG 11.

As global challenges related to water quality and sustainability grow, understanding the microbiome of drinking water is becoming increasingly critical. Recognizing that human well-being is deeply interconnected with the health of our planet—a concept at the core of Planetary Health—this perspective highlights the urgent need to address water-related issues in a holistic manner. Far from being sterile, drinking water contains diverse microbial communities that can significantly impact human health, urban ecosystems, and water management practices. Advancing knowledge about the drinking water microbiome can provide valuable insights into the complex relationship between built environments, human microbiomes, and sustainability.

However, key hurdles persist. Interpreting the vast datasets generated by next-generation sequencing technologies demands standardized methodologies and FAIR-compliant data practices. Integrating microbiome insights into routine public health strategies is still evolving. Additionally, public awareness of the biological complexity of water and the benefit of its microbiota needs to improve, as misconceptions about sterility persist. Filling these gaps is crucial for realizing the full potential of microbiome research to enhance public health, help achieve relevant SDGs (notably SDG 6, SDG 3, and SDG 11), and drive forward the broader vision of Planetary Health.

This Collection highlights cutting-edge research on the microbiome of drinking water within built environments, expanding knowledge of its interplay with human health and the human microbiome. Through the lens of the holobiont concept, these studies investigate the dynamic interactions among environmental and human microbial communities, providing a foundation for innovative approaches to water quality and sustainability.

Key themes include microbial diversity in drinking water systems, cross-ecosystem microbial interactions, urban ecosystem regeneration, and implications of these relationships for public health and sustainable water management. Contributions also highlight the need for standardized methodologies to enhance the Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, and Reuse (FAIR principles) of digital assets, ensuring more effective data analyses and integration. Additionally, discussions explore urban regeneration strategies that incorporate microbiome insights into sustainable design. A significant focus is placed on reshaping public perception: addressing the misconception that drinking water must be entirely sterile, while scientific evidence supports the beneficial role of its native microbiota.

Researchers are invited to contribute studies emphasizing the interconnectedness of environmental and human microbial ecosystems through the holobiont concept, offering fresh perspectives on water quality, public health, and the broader imperative of Planetary Health. By showcasing these multidisciplinary efforts, the Collection aims to inspire innovative approaches and collaborative strategies that safeguard both human well-being and the environment on which it depends.