Outbreaks of Disease directly
connected to Public Water Systems
Late 80's
In 1984 an outbreak of
cryptosporidioses
caused a reported 2,000
cases of illness in San Antonio, TX.
1986: an outbreak of cryptosporidioses caused a reported
56cases of illness in Albuquerque.
In 1987,an outbreak of cryptosporidioses caused a reported
13,000cases of illness in Carrolton, GA.
1990's
In 1991,there were 15 known U.S. drinking water disease outbreaks.
Also in 1991: 551 people contracted cryptosporidioses in Reading, PA.
In 1992, there were 18 known U.S. drinking water disease outbreaks.
1993:probably the worst outbreak in recent history occured.
Cryptosporidioses killed at least 104 people, and left
tens of thousands sick in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The outbreak
cost more than $54 million.
1993:an outbreak of cryptosporidioses caused a reported
1,000 cases of illness in Waterloo, Canada.
1993:residents in sections of New York City were forced to boil
water because of E. coli presence.
In September of 1996, there was an outbreak of Legionnaires disease in
Detroit, MI.
3,000 to 15,000 cases of illness due to cryptosporidium
were reported in Jackson County, Oregon.
Recently, there have also been significant outbreaks of
Cryptosporidioses in Georga and Las Vegas.
ETC.
Weed killers widely used in agriculture were found in the tap water of
28 out of 29 cities across the midwest in 1994.
A report by the Environmental Working Group indicates more than
7 million people drink water that contains herbicide levels
exceeding EPA Lifetime Health Advisories, and Maximum Contaminant
Levels.
Pollutants discharged into the nations surface waters by U.S. manufacturing
facilities totalled 244 million pounds in 1991.
Pennsylvania leads the nation in outbreaks of diseases attributed to
drinking water. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported
23 incidents between 1986 and 1994.
A report by the USDA, in 1996, has estimated that 106,000
Oregonians living in rural areas are without safe drinking water.
Problems involving pollution and turbidity appear to be the health
threat.
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