Need for a Comprehensive Waterborne Disease Burden Estimate
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Many stakeholders can benefit from a waterborne disease burden estimate. Surveillance and outbreak data suggest waterborne pathogens are still important causes of illness in the U.S.; however, the overall prevalence of waterborne illness in the U.S. is unknown. To determine how many people in the U.S. are affected by waterborne illnesses, which populations are most susceptible, and inform prevention planning efforts, it is necessary to measure water-related illness across all water sectors, considering all water uses and exposures.
How a waterborne disease burden estimate can help prevent waterborne illness in the U.S.
- Target resources and preventive measures
- Drive new data collection that will refine the estimate over time
- Drive inclusion of new items (such as chemicals)
- Drive partnerships
- Provide metrics to follow over time
- Address emerging issues
The ideal waterborne disease burden estimate
The ideal waterborne disease burden estimate will provide a cohesive umbrella estimate that covers:
All water uses, including:
- Drinking and household uses
- Recreation and leisure
- Industry
- Agriculture and food production
- Medical and healthcare uses
All water venues, including:
- Drinking water systems (public, private)
- Natural swimming waters (beaches, fresh water)
- Chlorinated swimming venues (pools, hot tubs/spas, water parks, foot spas)
- Premise plumbing and building distribution systems
- Irrigation and food processing water systems
- Reclaimed water, graywater
Premise plumbing
Premise plumbing is the drinking water system that is inside housing, schools, and other buildings. It connects to the main drinking water distribution system, but the water utility does not monitor its safety. A large proportion of drinking water outbreaks are linked to pathogens that grow in premise plumbing and building water system parts—like hot water tanks, cooling towers, decorative fountains, shower heads, and water taps—and are inhaled through steam or aerosol 1-5.
References
- Haupt TE, Heffernan RT, Kazmierczak JJ, Nehls-Lowe H, Rheineck B, Powell C, Leonhardt KK, Chitnis AS, Davis JP. An outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease associated with a decorative water wall fountain in a hospital. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2012;33(2):185-91.
- Falkinham JO 3rd. Nontuberculous mycobacteria from household plumbing of patients with nontuberculous mycobacteria disease. Emerg Infect Dis. 2011;17(3):419-24.
- Falkinham JO 3rd. Hospital water filters as a source of Mycobacterium avium complex. J Med Microbiol. 2010;59(Pt 10):1198-202.
- Tobin-D'Angelo MJ, Blass MA, del Rio C, Halvosa JS, Blumberg HM, Horsburgh CR. Hospital water as a source of Mycobacterium avium complex isolates in respiratory specimens. J Infect Dis. 2004;189(1):98-104.
- Fields BS, Benson RF, Besser RE. Legionella and Legionnaires’ disease: 25 years of investigation. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2002;15(3):506–26.
- Page last reviewed: November 10, 2016
- Page last updated: November 10, 2016
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