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Drinking Water (2019)
Citation:
SANTO-DOMINGO, J. W., N. Ashbolt, AND Gene Rice. Drinking Water (2019). Edition 4th, Chapter 2, Encyclopedia of Microbiology. ELSEVIER, AMSTERDAM, Holland, , 63-82, (2019). https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-801238-3.02247-9
Impact/Purpose:
This article discusses how water is treated and monitored to insure its microbiological safety for human consumption. The primary focus is on water treatment practices as used in developed regions like the United States.
Description:
As with many developed regions, the United States takes a multiple-barrier approach in preventing pathogen entry into drinking water. This means that a drinking water distribution system is required to use several barriers/treatment steps to counter enteric pathogens, throughout the entire process from source water management (e.g., intake) to drinking water exposure (e.g., the tap). Systems using surface water may control human activities on the watershed supplying the system. In groundwater systems natural barriers such as soil, aquitards and bedrock function in preventing passage of pathogens into well water. As part of this approach, a system should use the cleanest source water available (including use of watershed controls), provide appropriate water treatment for the water source used, and minimize pathogen entry into the distribution system via cross-connections and back-flow, pipe breaks, and other distribution system deficiencies. In addition, the multiple-barrier approach includes a good management plan, minimum operator standards and training, a state laboratory accreditation program, periodic on-site sanitary surveys, and a host of other quality assurance programs that collectively reduce the potential for drinking water contamination. An integral part of this approach is for a system to understand the potential sources of contamination in the watershed, including human activity and livestock practices to minimize human-infectious enteric pathogens. Implementing strong plumbing system codes provides additional protection to drinking water quality.
