 |
 |
According to a federal report, waterborne disease outbreaks associated with public drinking water systems have remained low in Pennsylvania. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the US Environmental Protection Agency released disease information in a summary titled, "Surveillance for Waterborne-Disease Outbreaks" published in the October 22, 2004, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report [CDC Surveillance Summaries, October 22, 2004 / Vol. 53 / No. SS-8] PDF . The summary showed one outbreak affecting 19 people at a Pennsylvania church camp in 2001. Regulations classify a camp as a “noncommunity” water system, which differs from the “community” systems that serve most cities, townships and boroughs in the Commonwealth. In previous reports, Pennsylvania waterborne disease outbreaks were zero for the period 1996 through 2000 (see graphs below). CDC's reports typically lag two to three years while the agency compiles and analyzes national outbreak data from all fifty states.
The CDC defines an outbreak as involving at least two persons experiencing a similar illness after consuming drinking water, along with evidence that water is the most likely source of the illness. In addition, an investigation of the exposed population must point to drinking water as the probable source of the illness.
In the Twentieth Century, waterborne diseases associated with drinking water were common, often leading to hundreds of deaths in the nation. Even in later years-from 1971 to 1985-Pennsylvania reported more waterborne disease outbreaks associated with drinking water than any other state. Although these diseases were not as severe, even outbreaks of mild diarrheal illness can lead to time off from work, school, or recreation, resulting in significant economic consequences.
Dramatic improvements in the state's drinking water systems during the 1990's have led to sharp reductions in waterborne diseases. For example, following more stringent regulations, nearly 250 water systems in the Commonwealth abandoned unfiltered surface water sources. Because these systems only used disinfection for treatment, consumers were more vulnerable to disease outbreaks when the disinfection facilities failed or when organisms resistant to disinfection were present in the water supply.
Other efforts have reduced the occurrence of outbreaks. The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and county health departments have improved inspections and design requirements since 1984, when the state acquired “primacy” for the safe drinking water program. DEP also works closely with surface water systems by using special programs like Filter Plant Performance Evaluations, the Partnership for Safe Water, and other training and outreach programs. Low-interest loans through the PENNVEST initiative have enabled water suppliers to improve drinking water infrastructure.
With the help of local public health agencies, DEP and the Pennsylvania Department of Health are continuing to further improve the state’s disease detection, investigation and reporting system. Currently, over 10 million Pennsylvanians and numerous out-of-state visitors receive their drinking water from 2,155 community water systems in the state.
|
|
For more information:
Contact: Phil Consonery, Phone Number (717) 772-4018
Email epfiltration@state.pa.us
Viewing or printing Adobe Acrobat PDF files requires an Acrobat Reader, which can be downloaded for free. |
 |
