Assessing the risk of acute gastrointestinal illness attributable to three enteric pathogens from contaminated private water wells in Ontario

• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2022.114077
• Publication Date: 2022-11-30T10:54:16Z
• Authors: Tessa Latchmore; Paul D. Hynds; R. Stephen Brown; Kevin McDermott; Anna Majury
• Keywords: Waterborne diseases; Giardia

The province of Ontario compromises the largest groundwater reliant population in Canada serving approximately 1.6 million individuals. Unlike municipal water systems, private well is not required to meet quality regulatory standards and thus source maintenance, treatment testing remains responsibility owner. Infections associated with drinking systems are rarely documented given their typically sporadic nature, human health effects (e.g., acute gastrointestinal illness (AGI)) on consumers relatively unknown, representing a significant gap safety management. current study sought quantify risk waterborne AGI attributed Giardia, shiga-toxin producing E. coli (STEC) norovirus from sources using Monte Carlo simulation-based quantitative microbial assessment (QMRA). Findings suggest that consumption contaminated responsible for 4823 cases annually, 3464 (71.8%) 1359 (28.1%) predicted occur consolidated unconsolidated aquifers, respectively. By pathogen, was (62%; 2991/4823), Giardia (24.6%; 1186/4823) STEC (13.4%; 646/4823). developed QMRA framework used assess potential impacts partial total system failure. In unlikely event failure, mean annual illnesses almost double (4217 7064 per year), highlighting importance effective comprehensive programs reducing infectious risks attributable Ontario. Study findings indicate underreporting rates at provincial level likely biasing public interventions monitoring minimizing water.