Contaminated Tap Water Research Articles

Niğde il merkezinde bir ishal salgınının incelenmesi, Mart 2014

Ozet Amac: 18–30 Mart 2014’de akut gastroenterit sikayeti ile 1288 kisi, Nigde il merkezinde hastanelere ve aile sagligi merkezlerine basvurmustur. Arastirma, salginin nedenini, bulas yolunu saptamak, kontrol onlemlerini uygulamak, benzer salginlari onlemek amaciyla yapilmistir. Gerec ve Yontem: ‘Salginin kaynagi kontamine sebeke suyudur’ hipotezini test etmek icin yapilan olgu-kontrol calismasinda saglik kayitlari incelenerek 18–30 Mart doneminde, R11, K52, A09 ICD 10 tani kodlu kisiler secilmistir. Olasi olgu, atak hizi en yuksek 15 mahallede ikamet eden, 0-14 yas grubu, kusma veya ishali olan kisiler olarak tanimlanmistir. Yas grubu eslestirmesi yapilarak komsularindan secilen 88 kontrol ve olasi olgu karsilastirilmistir. Klinik ornekler, sebeke suyu ornekleri incelenmistir. Bulgular: Olasi olgularda en sik gorulen semptomlar, ishal (%80.7), karin agrisi (%84.1), bulanti (%89.8), kusma (%84.1), atestir (%55.7). Sadece damacana suyu icme referans alindiginda sadece musluk suyu icme, olgularda kontrollere gore 6.5 kattir. (TRR adj =6.5, %95 GA:2.1–19.1). Alti klinik numunenin dordunde rotavirus; alti musluk suyu numunesinin dordunde koliform bakteri, Escherichia coli (E.coli) tespit edilmistir. Ayni gun alinan yedi musluk suyu orneginin besinde serbest klor duzeyi sifir ppm saptanmistir. Sonuc : Nigde il merkezinde ortaya cikan rotavirus salginina kontamine musluk suyu neden olmustur. Musluk suyunun hangi noktada kontamine oldugu belirlenememistir. Baska su kaynakli salginlarin olmasini onlemek icin musluk suyunun klorlanarak duzenli olarak izlenmesi onerilmistir. Anahtar Kelimeler: Su, ishal, olgu kontrol calismalari, rotavirus, salginlar

Evaluating a Tap Water Contamination Incident Attributed to Oil Contamination by Nontargeted Screening Strategies.

The present study applied nontargeted screening techniques as a novel approach to evaluate the tap water samples collected during the "4.11" tap water pollution incident occurred on April 11, 2014 in Lanzhou in west China. Multivariate analysis (PCA and OPLS-DA) of about 3000 chemical features obtained in extracts of tap water samples by ultrahigh-pressure liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MS) analysis showed significantly different chemical profiles in tap water from pollution regions versus reference regions during the event. These different chemical profiles in samples from different regions were not observed in samples collected during the nonpollution period. The compounds responsible for the differences in profiles between regions were identified as naphthenic acids (NAs) and oxidized NAs (oxy-NAs) after the sample extracts underwent bromination to explore saturations, dansylation to identify hydroxylations and corresponding MS/MS mode analysis. A consistent finding was further observed in the targeted analysis of NA mixtures, demonstrating that the Lanzhou "4.11" tap water pollution incident could be attributed to oil spill pollution, and NA mixtures would be a marker for oil contamination. Such evaluations can help to rapidly discriminate pollution sources in accidental pollution events and contribute to regular water monitoring management of water safety issues.

A gastroenteritis outbreak caused by contaminated tap water, Akharim town, Afyonkarahisar Province, Turkey, May 2014.

A gastroenteritis outbreak caused by contaminated tap water, Akharim town, Afyonkarahisar Province, Turkey, May 2014.

Oropharyngeal Tularemia Outbreak Associated with Drinking Contaminated Tap Water, Turkey, July-September 2013.

In 2013, an oropharyngeal tularemia outbreak in Turkey affected 55 persons. Drinking tap water during the likely exposure period was significantly associated with illness (attack rate 27% vs. 11% among non–tap water drinkers). Findings showed the tap water source had been contaminated by surface water, and the chlorination device malfunctioned.

Public Perceptions of Direct Potable Reuse in Four US Cities

This work is motivated by technical advancements related to direct potable reuse (DPR) and the importance of public values when considering alternative water resources. This study involved the distribution of an online survey to residents in four US cities about existing tap water supplies and “purified water,” defined as “municipal wastewater that has undergone advanced water treatment processes, thus resulting in water quality that, at a minimum, complies with drinking water regulations.” Overall, 50–60% of respondents were in support of using purified water as potable water. Contaminant concerns were highest for taste/smell and microbial contaminants in both current tap water and purified water. Survey results highlight the importance of addressing certain areas when communicating about DPR to the public, such as barriers against microbial contamination, the trustworthiness of utilities, potential improvements over the status quo, and community‐specific drivers that necessitate the use of purified water in a given setting.

Mesocage collector cavities as nanopockets for remediation and real assessment of carbamate pesticides in aquatic water

Remediation of chemicals such as pesticides in contaminated surface water and ground water is a major global concern because of the increased public awareness of the health risks and environmental risks of such chemicals. For use as a pesticide remediation system, we herein report a scalable, high-yield three-dimensional mesocage collector of micrometric aluminosilica particles with a large cavity of 7.0-nm pocket-like pores and a regular entrance pore. Analysis of the geometrical features of the mesocage collector cavities (MCC) revealed that they had several key characteristics, such as suitable guest accommodation, intermolecular forces, and electrostatic and non-electrostatic interactions. The MCC took up large quantities of pesticides onto the framework surfaces and into the hierarchical pocket-like pores, and the pesticides could subsequently be efficiently recovered from the MCCs, which could then be reused. We used the MCCs to recover pesticides from contaminated tap water and lake water samples, and our results indicate that the MCCs are a potentially effective tool for reducing the environmental burden due to contaminated water.

Survey of public attitiude towards bottled and tap water quality in the UAE

<div> <p>The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is one of the leading countries in the per capita bottled water consumption. This seems to be in controversy with adherences of local water authorities to stringent municipal water standards. A public survey (n= 891) was conducted to ascertain the perception of people in the country regarding bottled and tap water quality. The survey form was formulated based on the stated preference approach and was furnished in both Arabic and English languages. Some questions in the survey form require rating the quality of tap water and identifying the type of water the respondent drinks. For respondents who usually drink bottled water, they were asked to choose the reason(s) why they usually drink bottled water. Those who drink tap water more often were similarly asked to choose the reason(s) why they prefer tap water to bottled water. The study revealed that a large fraction of the UAE residents classify the quality of tap water as either good or excellent, yet many of them drink bottled water. This could be attributed in part to the high standard of living where the cost of bottled water is considered by the majority of the respondents as affordable. Other influential factors include the belief that bottled water has a better taste and concerns about tap water contamination. The latter may stem from the perception that water is not sufficiently treated or contamination is induced into the water from the distribution system or the in-house storage tanks. The study shows that more people in the UAE will drink tap water if relevant authorities provide information about tap water quality and if regular inspections and cleaning of the in-house storage tanks is conducted.</p> </div> <p> </p>

Psychological comorbidity increases the risk for postinfectious IBS partly by enhanced susceptibility to develop infectious gastroenteritis

ObjectivePsychological factors increase the risk to develop postinfectious IBS (PI-IBS), but the mechanisms involved are unclear. As stress affects the immune system, we investigated the potential interaction between psychological factors,...

Residential tap water contamination following the Freedom Industries chemical spill: perceptions, water quality, and health impacts.

During January 2014, an industrial solvent contaminated West Virginia’s Elk River and 15% of the state population’s tap water. A rapid in-home survey and water testing was conducted 2 weeks following the spill to understand resident perceptions, tap water chemical levels, and premise plumbing flushing effectiveness. Water odors were detected in all 10 homes sampled before and after premise plumbing flushing. Survey and medical data indicated flushing caused adverse health impacts. Bench-scale experiments and physiochemical property predictions showed flushing promoted chemical volatilization, and contaminants did not appreciably sorb into cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) pipe. Flushing reduced tap water 4-methylcyclohexanemethanol (4-MCHM) concentrations within some but not all homes. 4-MCHM was detected at unflushed (<10 to 420 μg/L) and flushed plumbing systems (<10 to 96 μg/L) and sometimes concentrations differed among faucets within each home. All waters contained less 4-MCHM than the 1000 μg/L Centers for Disease Control drinking water limit, but one home exceeded the 120 μg/L drinking water limit established by independent toxicologists. Nearly all households refused to resume water use activities after flushing because of water safety concerns. Science based flushing protocols should be developed to expedite recovery, minimize health impacts, and reduce concentrations in homes when future events occur.

Fate and Risk Assessment of Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs) in Water Treatment Plants and Tap Water in Bangkok, Thailand

Perfluoroalkyland Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs), especially Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), were found to contaminate the natural water sources serving as a raw material in producing tap water. The main purpose of this study was to measure the quantities of PFASs in both conventional and advanced water treatment processes, and of the PFASs contaminated tap water in various forms, with comparison made between tap water and water passing through drinking devices. It was found from the investigation that the conventional treatment process using coagulation, sedimentation, filtration and chlorination was incapable of removing PFASs, and that the concentration of effluent increased more than 27% compared to the influent. On the contrary, advanced water treatment process using GAC filter and RO was able to remove more than 86% of PFASs. The tap water was found to contain PFASs at 0.58-1.15 ng/L. However, a comparison between the average of the water passing through drinking devices and direct faucet showed insignificant difference, but the concentration of PFASs decreased by a small amount when passing a filter-equipped device.

Novel microbiological and spatial statistical methods to improve strength of epidemiological evidence in a community-wide waterborne outbreak.

Failures in the drinking water distribution system cause gastrointestinal outbreaks with multiple pathogens. A water distribution pipe breakage caused a community-wide waterborne outbreak in Vuorela, Finland, July 2012. We investigated this outbreak with advanced epidemiological and microbiological methods. A total of 473/2931 inhabitants (16%) responded to a web-based questionnaire. Water and patient samples were subjected to analysis of multiple microbial targets, molecular typing and microbial community analysis. Spatial analysis on the water distribution network was done and we applied a spatial logistic regression model. The course of the illness was mild. Drinking untreated tap water from the defined outbreak area was significantly associated with illness (RR 5.6, 95% CI 1.9–16.4) increasing in a dose response manner. The closer a person lived to the water distribution breakage point, the higher the risk of becoming ill. Sapovirus, enterovirus, single Campylobacter jejuni and EHEC O157:H7 findings as well as virulence genes for EPEC, EAEC and EHEC pathogroups were detected by molecular or culture methods from the faecal samples of the patients. EPEC, EAEC and EHEC virulence genes and faecal indicator bacteria were also detected in water samples. Microbial community sequencing of contaminated tap water revealed abundance of Arcobacter species. The polyphasic approach improved the understanding of the source of the infections, and aided to define the extent and magnitude of this outbreak.

Risk factors for Pseudomonas aeruginosa acquisition in intensive care units: a prospective multicentre study

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a major nosocomial pathogen in intensive care units (ICUs); however, endogenous versus exogenous origin of contamination remains unclear. To identify individual and environmental ICU risk factors for P. aeruginosa acquisition. A five-month prospective multicentric study was performed in ten French ICUs. Adult patients hospitalized in ICU for ≥ 24 h were included and screened for P. aeruginosa colonization on admission, weekly and before discharge. P. aeruginosa acquisition was defined by a subsequent colonization or infection if screening swabs on admission were negative. Water samples were obtained weekly on water taps of the ICUs. Data on patient characteristics, invasive devices exposure, antimicrobial therapy, P. aeruginosa water and patient colonization pressures, and ICU characteristics were collected. Hazard ratios (HRs) were estimated using multivariate Cox model. Among the 1314 patients without P. aeruginosa on admission, 201 (15%) acquired P. aeruginosa during their ICU stay. Individual characteristics significantly associated with P. aeruginosa acquisition were history of previous P. aeruginosa infection or colonization, cumulative duration of mechanical ventilation and cumulative days of antibiotics not active against P. aeruginosa. Environmental risk factors for P. aeruginosa acquisition were cumulative daily ward 'nine equivalents of nursing manpower use score' (NEMS) [hazard ratio (HR): 1.47 for ≥ 30 points; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.06-2.03] and contaminated tap water in patient's room (HR: 1.76; CI: 1.09-2.84). Individual risk factors and environmental factors for which intervention is possible were identified for P. aeruginosa acquisition.

Removal efficiency of radioactive cesium and iodine ions by a flow-type apparatus designed for electrochemically reduced water production.

The Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident on March 11, 2011 attracted people’s attention, with anxiety over possible radiation hazards. Immediate and long-term concerns are around protection from external and internal exposure by the liberated radionuclides. In particular, residents living in the affected regions are most concerned about ingesting contaminated foodstuffs, including drinking water. Efficient removal of radionuclides from rainwater and drinking water has been reported using several pot-type filtration devices. A currently used flow-type test apparatus is expected to simultaneously provide radionuclide elimination prior to ingestion and protection from internal exposure by accidental ingestion of radionuclides through the use of a micro-carbon carboxymethyl cartridge unit and an electrochemically reduced water production unit, respectively. However, the removability of radionuclides from contaminated tap water has not been tested to date. Thus, the current research was undertaken to assess the capability of the apparatus to remove radionuclides from artificially contaminated tap water. The results presented here demonstrate that the apparatus can reduce radioactivity levels to below the detection limit in applied tap water containing either 300 Bq/kg of 137Cs or 150 Bq/kg of 125I. The apparatus had a removal efficiency of over 90% for all concentration ranges of radio–cesium and –iodine tested. The results showing efficient radionuclide removability, together with previous studies on molecular hydrogen and platinum nanoparticles as reactive oxygen species scavengers, strongly suggest that the test apparatus has the potential to offer maximum safety against radionuclide-contaminated foodstuffs, including drinking water.

Sensitivity of quantitative microbial risk assessments to assumptions about exposure to multiple consumption events per day.

Quantitative microbial risk assessments (QMRAs) of contaminated drinking water usually assume the daily intake volume is consumed once a day. However, individuals could consume water at multiple time points over 1 day, so the objective was to determine if the number of consumption events per day impacted the risk of infection from Campylobacter jejuni during short-term contamination events. A probabilistic hydraulic and risk model was used to evaluate the impact of multiple consumption events as compared to one consumption event on the health risk from the intake of contaminated tap water. The fraction of the population that experiences greater than 10(-4) risk of infection per event at the median dose was 6.8% (5th-95th percentile: 6.5-7.2%) for one consumption event per day, 18.2% (5th-95th: 17.6-18.7%) for three consumption events per day, and 19.8% (5th-95th: 14.0-24.4%) when the number of consumption events varied around 3.49 events/day. While the daily intake volume remained consistent across scenarios, the results suggest that multiple consumption events per day increases the probability of infection during short-term, high level contamination events due to the increased coincidence of a consumption event during the contamination peak. Therefore, it will be important to accurately characterize this parameter in drinking water QMRAs.

Bayesian model of urban water safety management

&lt;p&gt;Water supply system is a critical infrastructure. Main task of urban water system is to provide consumers with drinking water in adequate quantity, at the required quality and pressure corresponding to current standards.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;For the purposes of this paper, operational reliability of the water supply system is defined as the ability to supply a constant flow of water for various groups of consumers, with a specific quality and specific pressure, according to consumers demands, in specific operational conditions, at any or at a specific time.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;div&gt; &lt;p&gt;The main aim of this paper is to present a method for risk analysis using Bayesian process. The proposed method made it possible to estimate risk associated with the possibility of partial or total loss of the ability of water supply system operation. The paper proposes to consider two types of risk: the first type, associated with the possibility of interruptions in water supply and the second type, associated with the possibility of tap water contamination.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;/div&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

Metal leaching in drinking water domestic distribution system: an Italian case study

The objective of this study was to evaluate metal contamination of tap water in seven public buildings in Brescia (Italy). Two monitoring periods were performed using three different sampling methods (overnight stagnation, 30-min stagnation, and random daytime). The results show that the water parameters exceeding the international standards (Directive 98/83/EC) at the tap were lead (max = 363 μg/L), nickel (max = 184 μg/L), zinc (max = 4900 μg/L), and iron (max = 393 μg/L). Compared to the total number of tap water samples analyzed (122), the values higher than limits of Directive 98/83/EC were 17 % for lead, 11 % for nickel, 14 % for zinc, and 7 % for iron. Three buildings exceeded iron standard while five buildings exceeded the standard for nickel, lead, and zinc. Moreover, there is no evident correlation between the leaching of contaminants in the domestic distribution system and the age of the pipes while a significant influence is shown by the sampling methods.

Peel Wastes of Ananas comosus (L.) Merr., Sandoricum koetjape Merr., Citrus nobilis Lour. as Lead and Cadmium Biosorbent in Manila Tap Water

Contaminated water from Manila, Philippines must be remediated. The use of peel wastes from Ananas comosus(L.) Merr. (Pineapple), Sandoricum koetjape Merr.(Santol) and Citrus nobilis Lour. (Dalanghita) , as agents in removing heavy metals from water could be cost effective. This study aimed to evaluate the capacity of peels to remove lead and cadmium in contaminated water. Furthermore, it aimed to determine the optimum pH, effect of contact time and the initial concentrations of heavy metals on the bio-sorption in the identified peels. The study was carried out by batch process. Biomass was added to known amounts of metals in solution with adjusted pH. After vacuum filtration, the filtrates were analyzed for residual heavy metal concentration using atomic absorption spectroscopy. Peel bio-sorption was optimum at pH 5. The amount of heavy metals adsorbed increased with time until 120 mins. The percent bio-sorption efficiency decreased with an increase in initial heavy metal concentration. The peels followed the pseudo second order kinetics, and the langmuir isotherm model with the bio-sorption of lead. For cadmium removal, pineapple and santol followed Langmuir isotherm model. For the actual contaminated tap water from Manila, santol showed the highest percent biosorption efficiency for lead and cadmium.

Su2031 Postinfectious Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Functional Dyspepsia Following an Outbreak of Tap Water Contamination

Su2031 Postinfectious Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Functional Dyspepsia Following an Outbreak of Tap Water Contamination

Clostridium difficile contamination of public tap water distribution system during a waterborne outbreak in Finland

In November through December 2007, the drinking water distribution system in the town of Nokia, Finland, was contaminated with treated sewage effluent that resulted in a large gastroenteritis outbreak in the community. The aim of the present study was to investigate if the contaminated water in this outbreak was also a potential source of Clostridium difficile infections. Samples from the contaminated tap water and treated sewage effluent were collected. Stool samples from a portion of patients that fell ill during the outbreak were examined for C. difficile. PCR ribotyping was performed on toxin positive C. difficile isolates and the genetic profiles of the water and patient isolates were compared. Twelve toxin-positive C. difficile isolates were found in water samples: five from contaminated tap water and seven from treated sewage effluent. Among these, four and five distinct PCR ribotype profiles were identified, respectively. Four PCR ribotype profiles were found among nine human faecal C. difficile isolates. Two isolates, one from tap water and one from a patient, had an indistinguishable PCR ribotype profile. Our findings demonstrate for the first time C. difficile contamination of a tap water distribution system and waterborne transmission of toxigenic C. difficile seems possible.

A Comparison Between Phragmites australis and Helianthus annuus in Chromium Phytoextraction

A comparison of chromium abatement from irrigation water, by the use of two selected plant species, Phragmites australis and Helianthus annuus, planted in chromium-contaminated soil, was studied in the present work. The above plant species were irrigated, in a continuous mode, with 10 mg CrVI/L contaminated tap water. More than 90 % of hexavalent chromium was reduced to trivalent chromium, from both plant species, as measured in the drainage water. Moreover, total chromium removal ranged from 54 % (Phragmites) to 70 % (Helianthus). After 90 days, the total chromium content of the contaminated soil dropped from 70 to 32 and 34 mg Cr/kgdry soil, for Helianthus and Phragmites, respectively. Helianthus accumulated higher amount of chromium in the roots (2,730 mg Cr/kgdry tissue) as compared to 1,800 mg Cr/kgdry tissue for Phragmites. Most of CrVI was reduced to CrIII in all plant tissues, with Phragmites showing lower affinity for CrVI reduction in the root tissues but higher chromium translocation potential from roots to stems, while Helianthus showed higher chromium translocation from roots to leaves. Toxicity effects, expressed as root growth rate inhibition, indicated that Phragmites were the most tolerant specie to chromium effects. Both plant species showed high potentialities to be used in phytoremediation installations for chromium removal.