The degradation of aquatic ecosystems can have widespread impacts on both aquatic ecosystem function and aquatic organism health. This loss of ecological integrity can negatively affect aquatic ecosystems and can result in impairments to recreational water use or drinking water consumption, loss of fish and wildlife populations, and degraded aesthetics. Beneficial use impairment is presumed to impact human health; however, comprehensive reporting of impacts on health outcomes is lacking. This webinar will present findings on two widespread impairments — degraded aesthetics and water contact resulting from combined sewage overflows — and how the relationship between ecological restoration and human health should be considered in a systems context.

