Scales of spatial and temporal variations in Cryptosporidium and Giardia abundances and genetic diversity in a drinking water reservoir: implications for the risk assessment

A monitoring of Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium parvum occurrence was conducted for 2 years in the largest drinking water reservoir of Luxembourg (Esch-sur-Sûre reservoir) using microscopy and qPCR techniques. Parasite analyses were performed on water samples collected from three sites: site A located at the inlet of the reservoir, site B located 18 km downstream site A, at the inlet of the drinking water treatment plant near the dam of the reservoir and site C where the finished drinking water is injected in the distribution network. The communication presented the main results of the survey and the assessment of risk infection with parasites.