The 21st century calls for a renewed definition of safe water that incorporates the microbial world within all One Health dimensions (human, animal and environmental health). Climate change-driven droughts and floods, biodiversity loss, emerging pollutants, and increasing population pressures are intensifying threats to water resources worldwide. Protecting water at its source is increasingly recognized as the most effective and equitable strategy to ensure clean water access, particularly in settings where remediation is limited by technical and financial constraints.

Water bodies are dynamic ecosystems in which microbial communities play a central role in water quality and in the health of humans, animals, and the environment. In this context, contaminated water may facilitate the spread of antimicrobial resistance, zoonotic pathogens, and the degradation of ecosystem services—highlighting the relevance of the One Health approach. By addressing water safety through this lens, we can better anticipate and mitigate risks that transcend species and ecosystems, ensuring holistic and sustainable solutions.

WaterMicro27 is also grounded in the One Water concept, which integrates all freshwater uses (drinking, recreation, reuse, agriculture, industry and maintenance of ecological balance) within a unified water cycle. Together, One Health and One Water reinforce the importance of microbial criteria for determining whether water is fit for purpose and for protecting biodiversity in the Anthropocene.

At WaterMicro27, we aim to foster dialogue on how scientific methodologies, interdisciplinary research, and community-based initiatives can strengthen strategies for water protection, surveillance, and risk reduction. We will also explore how advances in data analytics and technology can support cost-effective monitoring systems and early-warning tools to safeguard water safety and security for current and future generations.

We invite you to be part of WaterMicro27 in Costa Rica from May 30 to June 3, 2027, at the Costa Rica Convention Center.

We look forward to seeing you in the country of Pura Vida, home to one of the highest levels of biodiversity on the planet and a strong commitment to protecting ecosystems and water!