Drinking water supply and management practices in British Columbia, 1997-98.
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.


METHODS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
At the time of the survey in British Columbia, a number of communities were vulnerable to preventable drinking water contamination.
van Netten
Christiaan
C
Department 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
Pereira
Robert
R
Brands
Ralph
R
D001955:British Columbia; D004203:Disinfection; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005457:Fluoridation; D006801:Humans; D011634:Public Health; D012498:Sanitary Engineering / Q000592:standards*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D018505:Waste Management / Q000592:standards; D014871:Water Microbiology; D014876:Water Pollution / Q000032:analysis / Q000517:prevention & control; D014881:Water Supply / Q000592:standards*