📅 Wednesday 14th January 2026 | 🕐 13:00–14:00 GMT
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Microbial Source Tracking (MST) is a crucial emerging technique used to identify and attribute the origins of faecal contamination in water systems, whether from human, livestock, or wildlife sources. The process involves the detection and quantification of DNA segments specific to certain species or group of species in concentrated water samples. We applied this approach in Wales to understand the source of pollution in coastal beaches, shellfish harvesting areas and drinking water sources. Once the source is known, targeted interventions can be designed, e.g. repairing infrastructure, improving land management practices, or adjusting treatment processes, to better protect public health and the environment.
About the Speaker
Dr Kata Farkas is a Principal Consultant in Microbiology at WRc and an Honorary Research Fellow at Bangor University. With over 15 years of experience in environmental microbiology, she specialises in microbial risk assessment and the use of molecular tools for tracking pathogens in wastewater and the aquatic environment. Kata has led national programmes on wastewater-based epidemiology and microbial source tracking, supporting public health and environmental protection across Wales and the UK. Her work bridges science and policy, with a strong focus on stakeholder engagement and translating research into actionable solutions.