AWWA JAW41469

In March and April 1993, the largest US waterborne disease outbreak occurred in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, causing illness in more than 400,000 people. The etiological agency responsible for most cases was Cryptosporidium. Milwaukee was served by two water treatment plants that used raw water from Lake Michigan. Before the outbreak, severe spring storms caused the lake's turbidity and bacterial counts to rise dramatically. During the outbreak, effluent produced by one plant had a turbidity approaching 2.5 ntu, a high reading that indicated an increase in particulates passing through the plant. This increase in particulates may have also meant an increase in passage of Cryptosporidium oocysts. This article discusses the investigation by the Water Supply and Water Resources Division (formerly the Drinking Water Research Division) of the US Environmental Protection Agency into what may have happened to allow the oocysts to pass through the treatment plant. Includes 5 references, table, figures.

Product Details

Edition:

Vol. 88 - No. 9

Published:

09/01/1996

Number of Pages:

8

File Size:

1 file , 880 KB