Journal of Water and Health Vol 6 No S1 pp s33–s41 © IWA Publishing 2008 doi:10.2166/wh.2008.033
Drinking-water safety – challenges for community-managed systems
S. Rizak and Steve E. Hrudey
Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine and Cooperative Research Centre for Water Quality and Treatment, Monash University, Central and Eastern Clinical School, Alfred Hospital, Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004 Australia Tel.: +613 9903 0140 E-mail: samantha.rizak@med.monash.edu.au
Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2G3 Canada
ABSTRACT
A targeted review of documented waterborne disease outbreaks over the past decades reveals some recurring themes that should be understood by drinking-water suppliers. Evidence indicates the outbreaks are often linked to some significant change in conditions that provides a sudden challenge to a water system. Severe weather events, such as heavy rainfall or runoff from snow melt, as well as treatment process and system changes, are common risk factors for drinking-water outbreaks. Failure to recognise warning signs and complacency are important contributors to drinking water becoming unsafe. Drinking-water suppliers must focus on competence and vigilance in maintaining effective multiple barriers appropriate to the challenges facing the drinking-water system. Understanding the risk factors and failure modes of waterborne disease outbreaks is an essential component for effective management of community drinking-water supplies and ensuring the delivery of safe drinking-water to consumers.
Keywords: drinking-water safety; outbreaks; risk factors
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