In a study that may affect the upcoming Ground Water Rule,
the authors of this article determined that because of the
widespread occurrence of virus in groundwater, most well
water supplies should be disinfected before distribution. Scientific
data were needed to support the upcoming rule, and this study
provides a snapshot of viral contamination of groundwater at the
national level.
This article looks at information regarding the occurrence of
pathogens and microbial indicators in source waters and their
relationships with different abiotic parameters such as water
quality, geologic formation of groundwater sites, and other factors.
Sites were selected based on their geological characteristics
to match the national profile for groundwater sources. Two different
microbial methods were used to detect viruses in groundwater
sources, and during the study a new microbial detection methodology
was field-tested. Results indicate that when a well tested
positive once for any of the biological assays, it was likely to test
positive in future samplings.
This article also offers a strategy to predict the vulnerability of
groundwater supplies to fecal contamination. Includes 32 references, tables, figures.
| Edition : | Vol. 95 - No. 9 |
| File Size : | 1
file
, 680 KB |
| Note : | This product is unavailable in Ukraine, Russia, Belarus |
| Number of Pages : | 14 |
| Published : | 09/01/2003 |
