Adequate Disinfection: An Alternative to Mandatory Filtration

Abstract

The author of this letter states that a reasonable and practical alternative to mandatory filtration is to apply and enforce currently available disinfection technology to prevent giardiasis outbreaks until research clearly shows the need for extensive and expensive treatment facilities. He makes the point that giardiasis outbreaks are frequently associated with inadequate or interrupted treatment rather than the lack of filtration. Tables illustrate public water deficiencies associated with giardiasis outbreaks between 1965 and 1983, treatment problems associated with forty‐five waterborne outbreaks of giardiasis 1965‐1983, and chlorine contact time values for public water system giardiasis outbreaks.