molecular isolation of biodegradable mycobacteria from water supplies of iranian hospitals background and objectives: some microorganisms, mainly members of two genera including pseudomonas and mycobacterium , were found to be capable of transforming and degrading of polluting agents. we herein report the isolation of a few mycobacteria with the ability to biodegrade organic and inorganic compo...

This paper summarises the impact of major earthquakes, 2010–2011, on Christchurch’s water supply network and what recovery measures have been applied, what worked well, what did not and why. A number of issues related to the open nature of the Christchurch water supply network were identified during earthquakes. It was difficult to manage large water supply pressure zones during the post-earthq...

A cross-sectional study investigated risk factors associated with choices to drink bottled water and tap water in rural Saskatchewan. Of 7,500 anonymous postal questionnaires mailed out, 2,065 responses were analyzed using generalized linear mixed models. Those who reported a water advisory (p < 0.001) or living in the area for £10 years (p = 0.01) were more likely to choose bottled water. Thos...

This section looks back to some ground-breaking contributions to public health, reproducing them in their original form and adding a commentary on their significance from a modern-day perspective. In this issue, Michael A Lennon reviews the first trial of a fluoridated public water supply. Extracts of the report of the trial by Francis A Arnold et al. in 1956 are reproduced below by permission ...