Parallel with new security-related detection needs for water utilities, research in rapid detection
techniques for both chemical and biological contaminants is on the verge of producing easy, fast detection
of many contaminants. This paper identifies contaminants that may be used in intentional releases into
potable water systems, reviews currently available techniques for detecting those contaminants, explores
emerging detection technologies and recommends a course of action for water utilities developing a
monitoring program. The contaminants identified in the literature as potential threats to potable water are
diverse and include spore-forming and non-sporulating bacteria, DNA and RNA virsuses, protozoa and
biological toxins, chemical warfare agents, organic chemicals and inorganic chemicals. The general
features by which contaminants may be judged as potential threats are presented. Among detectors of
replicating biological agents, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based methods stand out as the only
currently available technology capable of detecting the diversity of agents identified as potential
contaminants at the sensitivity and in the time frame required. In the absence of a single chemical
detector for detection of all potential contaminants, it is recommended that utilities purchase equipment
such as chemiluminescence or bioluminescence test kits for field testing in the event of a suspected
release and develop pilot monitoring programs to pave the way for implementation of improved chemical
monitors as they are developed. Includes 47 references, tables, figures.
| Edition : | Vol. - No. |
| File Size : | 1
file
, 370 KB |
| Note : | This product is unavailable in Ukraine, Russia, Belarus |
| Number of Pages : | 20 |
| Published : | 11/02/2003 |
