AWWA JAW72322

Regulatory, political, and institutionalbarriers have prevented broader use of rapid,simple, and inexpensive microbiological testsfor Escherichia coli. By permitting greater useof chromogenic microbiological methods forcompliance requirements by trained and certifiedoperators of smaller public water systems,the cost of compliance should remainthe same or decrease than when using distantlaboratories. In fact, the lower cost of suchmethods would allow more frequent testing.New microbial methods allow greater publichealth protection because they are more sensitiveto smaller amounts of contaminants inaddition to allowing faster turnaroundtimes, which would allow faster notificationto the public. This article describes the currentstatus of chromogenic enzyme tests; theexperiences of Alaska and some Canadianprovinces/territories in their onsite use, especiallyfor facilities serving remote areas; and,the barriers that must be addressed beforethey can be broadly adopted for treatmentperformance or compliance monitoring.

Includes 21 references, table.

Product Details

Edition:

Vol. 102 - No. 8

Published:

08/01/2010

File Size:

1 file , 490 KB