In the last thirty years the antibiotic resistance phenomenon has rapidly expanded on a global basis- greatly effecting clean water sources which are vital components for a successful environment and health. Due to numerous causations including over-prescribing of antibiotics and over-use in farming, antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistant genes (ARG) are found in various environments such as hospitals and homes which eventually are concluded in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs)- a significant ARB/ARG collected location. Infected WWTP effluents are then dispersed to a variety of areas in the environment- leading to greater spread of ARBs. Therefore, disinfection processes for ARBs and ARGs particularly in WWTPs is an area of critical focus.

Of the newly emerging ARGs, the New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase-1 (NDM-1) enzyme is the projects focal point because it is a “superbug” which remains challenging to treat with current antibiotics including carbapenems (an antibiotic utilized as a last resort). As a transmissible genetic element, NDM-1 is further advantageous due to its ability to transfer from one bacteria to another via horizontal gene transfer. Consequently, control of NDM-1 in wastewater treatment is indispensable for sustainability.

Moreover, recently recognized adequacy of UV irradiation/ TiO₂ photo-catalysis for water treatment hypothesizes the treatment process to be an imperative solution for the inactivation effect of ARBs and ARGs. UV disinfection is advantageous since it does not produce any by-products, unlike traditional processes such as chlorination. Successful testing for the removal of the ARG NDM-1via UV/ TiO₂ disinfection process will lead to cleaner effluent water entering into the environment and a greater understanding of the fate, transport, and control of ARBs and ARGs.