United States: Amidst its standing as one of the globe’s most secure communal water frameworks, recent findings may provoke second thoughts regarding the direct consumption of tap water within the United States.
Health authorities across over twenty states voluntarily disclosed a cumulative tally of 214 instances of gastrointestinal disorders linked with potable water consumption spanning from 2015 to 2020, as per a recent examination conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These incidents resulted in no fewer than 2,140 instances of sickness, 563 hospital admissions, and 88 fatalities, according to The Hill.
The CDC highlighted biofilms as the primary contributing element. They attribute these biofilms to slime-like appendages that stick to the walls of pipes and the surfaces of water treatment systems and, conversely, to the formation of a natural habitat that is positive for pathogens’ reproduction and proliferation.
Mostly associated with biofilms, Legionella bacteria are commonly identified as culpable of these outbreaks, mainly water systems, which turned out to be the principal agents of Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks, particularly in places accessible to the public. Legionella outbreaks contributed to 66% of illnesses, 66% of hospitalizations, and 86% of fatalities, as outlined in the report.
The CDC emphasized that the Legionella bacteria, which causes legionnaires’ disease, can cause another severe respiratory infection known as Legionnaires’ disease. Although curable, a whopping ten percent of sufferers pass on even after the founding of the infections’ complications.
Additional pathogens, including norovirus, Shigella, and Campylobacter, were also implicated in certain outbreaks. These pathogens, predominantly associated with well water in the report, have the potential to trigger a spectrum of ailments affecting the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory system, central nervous system, ocular structures, or integumentary system, as per The Hill.
Among the states spotlighted in the analysis, Illinois, Florida, Georgia, and Maryland reported the highest number of outbreaks (all of which were Legionella-related). The ensuing table delineates the incidence, hospitalization, and fatality rates in each of these states over the aforementioned five-year span.
According to the reports released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of outbreaks reported in Florida was 54, with 162 cases, 119 hospitalizations, and 15 deaths. Along with this, 24 outbreaks with 140 cases, 101 hospitalizations, and 26 deaths were reported in Illinois. The states were followed by 16 and 13 outbreaks in Maryland and Georgia, respectively.
States recording ten or fewer outbreaks during the corresponding period included Arizona, Connecticut, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.
According to The Hill, it merits mention that not all of the aforementioned states reported incidents annually to the CDC’s National Outbreak Reporting System.
Over 450 individuals who fell ill (comprising approximately 21% of all cases) were exposed to tainted water within healthcare facilities such as hospitals or assisted living residences, according to CDC data. Hotels, motels, lodges, or inns were linked to around 225 cases. Conversely, private residences, apartments, or condominiums were associated with 19 cases.
Beyond bacteria such as Legionella lurking within the water supply, additional contributory factors to these outbreaks encompassed antiquated plumbing components, inadequacies in-home water treatment, and plumbing contamination during construction or refurbishment endeavors.
The CDC underscored that its findings emphasize the imperative for enhanced water surveillance, preventative measures, and outbreak response initiatives.
Guidelines for Ensuring Water Safety
At this juncture, you may be pondering the safety of the tap water in your abode.
The United States harbors in excess of 148,000 communal water systems mandated to adhere to regulations stipulated by the Environmental Protection Agency. Nonetheless, germs have the potential to infiltrate the water utilized for drinking, bathing, and other domestic purposes, as per CDC advisories.