AWWA WQTC69307

Through the Water Security Initiative, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) worked with the City of Cincinnati, Ohio, to deploy a contaminationwarning system pilot. The Cincinnati pilot leveraged the following public health surveillance data streamsas part of the contamination warning system: 911 calls; emergency medical service logs; over-the-counterdrug sales; Poison Control Center calls; emergency room chief complaints; and, infectious diseasereporting. If an alarm is generated through one of these systems, the local health departments work collaboratively with Greater Cincinnati Water Works (GCWW) utility staff to conduct an investigation todetermine whether or not the public health alarm is related to drinking water contamination. This paper presents a preliminary analysis of 911 call and emergency medical service data generatedthrough the baseline or preliminary testing phase of the Cincinnati pilot public health surveillancecomponent. The process for investigation of alarms, including the communication and coordinationbetween the pilot utility, Greater Cincinnati Water Works, and local health departments is also discussed. Includes 5 references, figures.

Product Details

Edition:

Vol. - No.

Published:

11/01/2008

Number of Pages:

8

File Size:

1 file , 800 KB