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MANAGING THE MICROBIOLOGICAL RISKS OF DRINKING WATER
Journal article

MANAGING THE MICROBIOLOGICAL RISKS OF DRINKING WATER

Daniel Krewski, John Balbus, David Butler-Jones, Charles N Haas, Judith Isaac-Renton, Kenneth J Roberts and Martha Sinclair
Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A, v 67(20-22), pp 1591-1617
01 Oct 2004
PMID: 15371204

Abstract

The microbiological contamination of drinking water supplies can have serious health consequences for consumers, and this has been dramatically illustrated in recent years by two disease outbreaks in Canada. In this paper, some factors that can influence the microbiological quality of drinking water and its management are examined. Frameworks have been proposed that help to clarify the main elements of health risk assessment and risk management, and, in accordance with these, risks can be logically characterized, evaluated and controlled. A protocol has been developed for microbiological risk assessment and a risk management framework now guides the development of Canada's national guidelines for drinking-water quality. Monitoring of indicator organisms and the application of adequate water treatment are the primary means recommended in the Canadian guidelines to safeguard health from the presence of water-borne pathogens. Understanding the biological characteristics of microbial pathogens is necessary for assessing their impact on community health and appraising the rationale behind drinking-water testing methods and their limitations. Improvements in health surveillance, monitoring, and risk characterization and application of concepts such as multiple barriers (source-to-tap) and total quality management should contribute to better management of the microbiological quality of drinking water.

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31 citations in Scopus

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UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This publication has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

#11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
#6 Clean Water and Sanitation
#3 Good Health and Well-Being
#14 Life Below Water

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Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
International collaboration
Web of Science research areas
Environmental Sciences
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Toxicology
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