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Water QualitySelect a report:Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader [Download Adobe Acrobat]
Some
people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in
drinking water than the general population.
Immuno-compromised persons such as persons with
cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have
undergone organ transplants, people with
HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some
elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk
from infections. These people should seek advice
about drinking water from their healthcare
providers. The Environmental Protection Agency and Centers
for Disease Control guidelines on appropriate
means to lessen the risk of infection by
Cryptosporidium and other microbial
contaminants are available from the Safe
Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791). Some
people who drink water containing haloacetic
acids in excess of the MCL over many years may
have an increased risk of getting cancer. Some
people who drink water containing
trihalomethanes in excess of the MCL over many
years may experience problems with their liver,
kidneys or central nervous systems and may have
increased risk of getting cancer.
Cryptosporidium is a microscopic parasite which
is found in surface water throughout the U.S.
and comes from animal waste and run-off.
When ingested, it can result in diarrhea, fever and
other gastrointestinal symptoms. However,
infection can occur not only from drinking
contaminated water but also from eating
contaminated food, from exposure to fecal
contaminated environmental surfaces, and from
person to person by the fecal-oral route.
Person-to-person transmission has been well
documented in day-care centers and hospitals.
Cryptosporidium is eliminated by an effective
treatment combination including coagulation, sedimentation,
filtration, and disinfection. Cleveland
Utilities periodically analyzes both raw and
finished water from each of the water treatment
plants it operates for Cryptosporidium. Source
water monitoring from the Hiwassee river
indicated the presence of Cryptosporidium in 2
out of 9 samples tested in 2007. Source water
monitoring from Waterville Spring indicated no
presence of Cryptosporidium in 9 samples tested
in 2007. There
were a total of 12 samples taken on finished
treatment plant waters in 2003. No
Cryptosporidium were detected in any of the
treatment plants finished water. For more
information on Cryptosporidium, contact the Safe
Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791). Health Info Links: |