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Drinking water supply and management practices in British Columbia, 1997-98
Christiaan van Netten1, Robert Pereira, Ralph Brands
1Department of Health Care and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, James Mather Building, 5804 Fairview Avenue, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3. cvnetten@interchange.ubc.ca
Background:
Questions regarding control over a water fluoridation system in a British Columbia (BC) community led to a drinking water management survey in 1997-98.
Method:
A questionnaire was constructed based on published drinking water control and management criteria and was sent to 91 communities.
Results:
73/91 surveys were returned (80% response rate); 31 reported a protected water supply system, 40 reported logging and/or cattle grazing in watershed areas, 25 reported a lack of primary disinfection. Water fluoridation was reported in 12 locations, 3 of which did not monitor fluoride levels. Testing for protozoans was done routinely in 19 locations, 15 using approved laboratories. 15 water contamination events were reported, 9 of biological origin. Statistically significant associations were found between contamination events and: wooden delivery systems, lack of primary chlorination, increased number of protozoan tests, and increased number of personnel.
Interpretation:
At the time of the survey in British Columbia, a number of communities were vulnerable to preventable drinking water contamination.