integration of climate change in a prioritization method for emerging risks to drinking water quality

Increasing pressure from anthropogenic sources in combination with more sensitive measurement techniques has led to an increase in the number of emerging contaminants detected in surface or drinking water. Emerging contaminants are chemical substances or pathogenic microorganisms that pose a new threat to public health through the exposure to drinking water. Since it is practically impossible to monitor all emerging contaminants, prioritization methods help to make a well-founded choice which contaminants require the most attention. This study examined the added value of integrating climate change criteria in a prioritization method for emerging risks to drinking water quality, since there is scientific consensus that climate change has a negative effect on the quality of surface water and therefore also on drinking water quality. To formulate the climate change criteria, the Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) technique provided an assessment framework to combine objective technical information with subjective interpretations of experts. The MCDA framework aims to minimize the chance of bias by following a transparent and systematic approach.