Abstract
Uncertainty surrounding microbial fate and transport renders the assessment of climate change effects on waterborne pathogens complex and difficult to forecast. The objective of this study is to use watershed modeling to predict the impacts of future climate change and land management scenarios on microbial water quality. Preliminary findings suggest an increased risk to human health due to direct consequences of climate change. Results of watershed-scale microbial load modeling can inform the adoption of pollution control measures required to protect human health and aid development of new water policy.