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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