PIER

Public health Impact of Exposure to antimicrobial Resistance in recreational waters

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PIER Registration is Now Closed!

Thanks to the hundreds of Irish water lovers who have signed up to participate in this important research project!

What's involved? - Click here to find out more!

The PIER project is ‌looking into whether we can pick up 'superbugs' from using our seas, lakes and rivers for recreation!

Antibiotic resistance (AR) is recognised internationally as one of the greatest threats to humanity. We know that AR bacteria and antibiotic residues in livestock, human and industrial waste streams are released in great quantities to natural water environments, including rivers, lakes and coastal seas. We know that access to these natural waters for recreation and relaxation is important for our physical and mental health, our wellbeing and our quality of life. However, we don't know if exposure to AR bacteria in these waters is affecting the heath of people who regularly use them for recreation.

The PIER project will investigate whether people who regularly swim, surf or do other in-water activities in Irish rivers, lakes and coastal seas are more likely to pick up and carry AR bacteria in their gut. PIER will also identify and map the barriers and facilitators to people using natural waters for recreation, creating a "systems map" where we can target future change interventions to maximise our use of natural recreational waters.

PIER flow diagram 2

The PIER project's main aims are:

To examine the health and wellbeing outcomes from exposure to AR bacteria in seas, lakes and rivers in Ireland
To support the development of monitoring strategies, regulatory activities and policy development for AR prevention and control in the environment.

Questions that PIER will answer include:

What are the public health implications of exposure to AR bacteria in recreational waters?
Do current bathing water quality regulations protect public health?
Are recreational water users more likely to be colonised with AR bacteria (to carry them in their gut) than those who don't use the water?
How long do AR bacteria persist in the gut of water and non-water users?
What are the barriers and enablers to people using natural waters for recreation?
Where can we target interventions to increase people's recreational use of natural waters?

How will we answer these questions?

In Part A the PIER colonisation study we will recruit 150 regular water users and 150 water non-users to participate in PIER. Participants will be sent a PIER study kit by post, containing a faecal (poo) sample collection kit and survey on how they use the water. We will examine participants faecal sample in the lab to see whether they carry AR bacteria in their gut!
In Part B the PIER systems modelling study we will interview recreational water quality stakeholders and conduct an online survey among stakeholders to identify the barriers and facilitators to improving water quality!
For more information on exactly what is involved plase see the information for PIER participants!

Project Partners:

ARME Logo round

Prof Dearbháile Morris, Dr Liam Burke, Dr Louise O'Connor, Prof Martin Cormican, Ms Maeve Farrell

‌ Whitaker logo

Dr Christine Domegan, Dr Sinéad Duane, Dr Easkey Britton

Dr Áine McNamara, Dr Katharine Harkin, Dr Regina Kiernan

Prof Diarmuid O'Donovan

Prof William Gaze, Dr Anne Leonard

Project funding:

EPA Research logo

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