Dr Anne Leonard has been invited by England’s Chief Medical Officer, Professor Chris Whitty, to join a new national group advising the government on the health risks posed by microbes in recreational and drinking water.

The appointment places her among a small group of specialists providing independent, science based guidance at a time of intense public concern about water quality and renewed government focus on water reform.

The invitation comes amid growing public discussion about water quality, with recent media coverage bringing renewed attention to the issue. This visibility has reinforced calls for healthier aquatic environments which face increasing pressures from a range of different sources.

Dr Leonard brings over a decade of experience working at the intersection of environment and human health, particularly her understanding of the risks that microbial pollution in natural bathing waters can pose to water users.

Her research, spanning environmental epidemiology, microbial ecology, and evidence synthesis, focuses on how people are exposed to harmful microbes in aquatic environments and what this means for public health.

The Microbial Risks Taskforce Subgroup sits within the new Public Health Water Taskforce, which will guide future monitoring strategies, and support improvements in how water related health risks are communicated nationally.

Dr Leonard said: “I’m delighted to join this group advising the government on an issue that is a central pillar of public health. Access to clean, safe water – whether from our taps, or in the rivers, lakes and seas we enjoy – is fundamental to our wellbeing. Water sustains life, but it can also carry harmful microbes, and it is vital that national decisions are underpinned by clear, independent evidence to help keep people safe.”

The subgroup will work alongside other specialist groups within the taskforce, including those focusing on chemical risks and practical solutions, to strengthen the evidence base behind national decisions on water quality.