E. Coli
In Walkerton Ontario, many people don't even drink a glass of water from the kitchen taps, for fear of their lives. This is because of Escherichia Coli (E. coli). This bacterium has been found to be the cause of over 2,300 illnesses and either the main factor or a contributing factor in 7 deaths. "As far back as 1978, tests revealed fecal coliform contamination in Walkerton's wells." (Verma and Donovan, Oct. 14/00) *(1,2,3) E. coli was found in water testing, on May 15, and it was not until six days later that the citizens were informed of the deadly bacteria. "The outbreak laid bare how a decade of neglect, government cutbacks and weakened controls has undermined the safety of our water supply." (Verma and Donovan, Oct. 14/00) In May of 2000, 7 people died and approximately 2,300 became ill because of harmful bacteria called E. coli in the Walkerton water. Total coliform bacteria are a collection of relatively harmless microorganisms that live in large numbers in the intestines of man and warm and cold-blooded animals. A specific subgroup of this collection is the fecal coliform bacteria, including the Escherichia coli. These organisms have the ability to grow at elevated temperatures i
During an information meeting residents of Walkerton were told that an interim filtration system is being installed, taking a major step in solving Walkerton's water problems. If test results are good after the new filtration system is ready, Walkerton will be able to lift its boil water advisory. The price of this filtration system is $1.9 million. During a town meeting, many questions were raised concerning the use of Chlorine in the water to rid it of harmful bacteria. The chlorine amounts have been increased to help destroy bacteria in the water and in some cases the chlorine levels have been found to exceed the allowed levels, raising concerns among the citizens that the amount of chlorine in the water could be harmful to their health. Currently there are plans being worked out to ship Toronto's garbage up to cities and towns in Northern Ontario. They want to put their waste into abandoned mines. The citizens in these areas are trying desperately to convince officials otherwise, as they fear the safety of their water and consequently their health because of potential water pollution. The first sign of a problem came on May 19, when some elderly people from a retirement home in Walkerton reported diarrhea and vomiting. On the same day reports came from Owen Sound that some elementary students had bloody stools. Another report from Walkerton indicated that two elementary schools had experienced a definite increase in absenteeism beginning May 17. Despite this information the Walkerton Public Utilities Commission (PUC) assured on May 19 that the water was secure. On May 20 the Owen Sound Hospital laboratory found E. coli 0157 through testing, and contacted the Walkerton PUC. The PUC again assured that the water was secure. The next day 40 people visited the hospitals in this area and with no other conceivable source a water boil advisory was issued and broadcast by local radio stations. On May 24 handbills from the Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound Health Unit were delivered to a
Some common words found in the essay are:
Donovan Oct, Crosby Oct, Blackwell Oct, Water Agency, Sound Bacteria, Koebel Koebel, Thompson Thompson, PUC PUC, Owen Sound, Drink Water, oct 18/00, crosby oct, coli 0157, verma donovan, oct 14/00, donovan oct 14/00, donovan oct, verma donovan oct, crosby oct 18/00, chlorine levels, fecal coliform, bacteria water, coliform bacteria, blackwell oct 18/00, crosby oct 11/00,
Approximate Word count = 1351
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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