How useful is the current Total Coliform Rule (TCR) in assessing
water systems' - especially small systems' - vulnerability
to a waterborne outbreak?
The authors determined that the current TCR is not sufficient
for predicting a system's vulnerability to an outbreak from protozoa
and viruses. Depending on the frequency of sampling, the
current TCR may be adequate for predicting a system's vulnerability
to bacterial pathogens.
The authors concluded that additional microbial indicators are
needed to guard against outbreaks from protozoa and viruses. In
particular, greater frequency of sampling is needed for smaller
communities. Further, routine monitoring should be supplemented
with sanitary surveys and other measures to monitor conditions
that may indicate potential contamination.
Because of these inadequacies, additional revisions may be
needed for the TCR. It is worth noting that provisions within
the proposed Ground Water Rule may help prevent
outbreaks.
Water managers should not be complacent with regard to negative
findings obtained during routine coliform monitoring and should
continually assess potential sources of contamination, because
outbreaks can occur even when the TCR has not been exceeded. Includes 12 references, tables.
| Edition : | Vol. 94 - No. 9 |
| File Size : | 1
file
, 89 KB |
| Note : | This product is unavailable in Ukraine, Russia, Belarus |
| Number of Pages : | 9 |
| Published : | 09/01/2002 |
