Hello everyone,
In the May 2008 issue of Aqua Talk we ran an open letter of thanks to the drinking water community after the waterborne disease outbreak in Alamosa, Colorado. We have not had a waterborne disease outbreak at a public water system in Colorado in the 17 years since. We thought it would be a good time to rerun this article as a reminder of what happened and how the water utility community came together in response. We have had some disease outbreaks from drinking water, but they have happened in buildings or other situations that did not involve regulated systems. The Alamosa event was the first use of the Colorado Water and Wastewater Response Network (Co-WARN), which has been used many times since 2008 by utilities in need, and those needs have been met by other utilities. So, I say again - THANK YOU!
Article from May 2008:
In March, the Water Quality Control Division in conjunction with numerous emergency response agencies and city of Alamosa officials were deeply involved in responding to a waterborne disease outbreak within the community. While a definitive identification of the cause has not yet been determined and investigative activities are ongoing, I want to take this opportunity and use this forum to tell everyone involved...Thank you!!
The city of Alamosa and the division could not have accomplished what they did without the assistance and dedication of all the agencies, groups and individuals involved with this response. The request for resources was placed to public water systems though our COWARN network, and the response was overwhelming and immediate. As new resource needs were identified, requests were made, and the resource materialized. Events and circumstances constantly evolved, and the response of the drinking water community was unwavering.
The boil/bottled water order was in place for 23 days and had an impact on the entire community of approximately 9,000 citizens. A staggering amount of work was accomplished within those 23 days including the following:
- An evaluation of the distribution system, including a review of potential cross connections.
- A multi-staged systematic disinfection and flushing of the storage tanks and entire 49 miles of distribution piping.
- Extensive monitoring for a number of water quality parameters throughout the distribution system including Salmonella, total coliform, Giardia, cryptosporidium, arsenic, lead and copper, and chlorine residuals.
- The Consumer Protection Division worked with restaurants and other businesses to keep many of them operating during the event.
- Bottled water and bulk water was distributed to residents.
- Communications personnel made substantial public notice efforts with the media to keep people informed.
The drinking water community should be proud of its response.
➽Ron Falco, P.E. Safe Drinking Water Program Manager
