The Leavenworth, Washington Case: Environmental Concerns With a Water Treatment Plant Failure

A waterborne outbreak of gastrointestinal illness occurred in Leavenworth, Washington during the spring of 1980. Evidence is provided suggesting that multiple etiologic agents were reponsible for the outbreak, including Giardia lamblia and Yersinia enterocolitica. Monthly sampling of the water suppl...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of environmental health 1984-01, Vol.47 (1), p.10-14
Main Authors: Carberry, William L., Deffenbach, Jeffrey R., Schlender, George, Jensen, Ann, Wetzler, Theodore F., DeWalle, Foppe B.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Chlorine
Disease outbreaks
Environmental health
Giardia lamblia
Public health
Surface water
Water filtration
Water samples
Water treatment
Water treatment plants
Yersinia enterocolitica
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Summary:A waterborne outbreak of gastrointestinal illness occurred in Leavenworth, Washington during the spring of 1980. Evidence is provided suggesting that multiple etiologic agents were reponsible for the outbreak, including Giardia lamblia and Yersinia enterocolitica. Monthly sampling of the water supply a year before the outbreak showed a presence of virulent Y. enterocolitica. G. lamblia was recovered from a filtered water sample after the outbreak had been realized. The failure of the sand filtration system and the absence of adequate chlorination and pretreatment at the Leavenworth water treatment plant allowed these pathogens to enter the distribution system. Issues are discussed which are of concern to water treatment plant operators whose utilities draw their water from undeveloped protected watersheds.
ISSN:0022-0892