Time to Complete lesson: 30 mins

Definition sourced from: Wikipedia

Waterborne diseases are caused by pathogenic microorganisms that most commonly are transmitted in contaminated fresh water.

Infection commonly results during bathing, washing, drinking, in the preparation of food, or the consumption of food thus infected.

Various forms of waterborne diarrheal disease probably are the most prominent examples, and affect mainly children in developing countries; according to the World Health Organization, such disease account for an estimated 4.1% of the total DALY global burden of disease, and cause about 1.8 million human deaths annually. The World Health Organization estimates that 88% of that burden is attributable to unsafe water supply, sanitation and hygiene.

Giardia
Crypto – Cryptosporidium parvum
Cholera
Typhoid
Dysentery
E-Coli
Coliforms
Salmonella
Naegleria Fowleri

Giardia is a microscopic parasite that is considered one of the most common sources of waterborne illness. In some cases, it can be fatal.

Like Cryptosporidium parvum, a pathogen to which it is often compared, Giardia is neither a bacterium nor a virus but a protozoa with an unusually complex life cycle.

Also, like Cryptosporidium, it lives in the intestinal tracts of warm-blooded animals and is transmitted from host to host in the form of an oocyst, similar to a plant seed or microscopic egg.

Once the oocysts reach the intestinal tract after ingestion by the host, they excyst (or hatch) and begin subdividing and attaching to the intestinal wall.

"The result, known as giardiasis, often tends to be typical gastrointestinal symptoms, such as persistent diarrhoea, weight loss, abdominal cramps, nausea and dehydration," says Dr. Jim Hairston, an Alabama Cooperative Extension System water quality scientist.

"Studies have shown it takes as few as 10 oocysts to cause giardiasis."

Symptoms associated with giardiasis typically last about two weeks, though in some cases chronic symptoms can persist for up to two months, Hairston says. Even worse, among some segments of the population, including chemotherapy and AIDS patients and others with compromised immune systems, the symptoms can last for months and even be fatal.

Surface water is especially vulnerable to Giardia contamination, and this explains why it is often called "beaver fever" or backpacker disease.

"Many years ago, what we now know as giardiasis was called beaver fever, because people who drank creek water downstream from a beaver dam often got sick," Hairston says.

Total Coliforms, Faecal Coliforms, and E. Coli

The most basic test for bacterial contamination of a water supply is the test for total coliform bacteria. Total coliform counts give a general indication of the sanitary condition of a water supply.

Total coliforms include bacteria that are found in the soil, in water that has been influenced by surface water, and in human or animal waste.
Faecal Coliforms are the group of the total coliforms that are considered to be present specifically in the gut and faeces of warm-blooded animals. Because the origins of faecal coliforms are more specific than the origins of the more general total coliform group of bacteria, faecal coliforms are considered a more accurate indication of animal or human waste than the total coliforms.
Escherichia coli (E. coli) is the major species in the faecal coliform group. Of the five general groups of bacteria that comprise the total coliforms, only E. coli is generally not found growing and reproducing in the environment. Consequently, E. coli is considered to be the species of coliform bacteria that is the best indicator of faecal pollution and the possible presence of pathogens.

Source: http://www.topwaterpurifiers.in/dangerous-water-borne-diseases-india/

3.1 Naegleria Fowleri

3.1.1 Main Points:

Naegleria fowleri are found in warm (above 25 degrees Celsius) fresh water bodies around the world
The risk of being infected by Naegleria fowleri from public water supplies in Australia is extremely low
Recent cases of infection by Naegleria fowleri in Australia occurred in private water supplies that were untreated or poorly treated.
Well-treated town water supplies with effective disinfection (such as chlorine) are not at risk from this organism
Infection can occur if water containing amoebae is pushed up the nose, through activities such as jumping, diving or falling into warm fresh water bodies.

3.1.2 Description

Naegleria are free-living protozoa that occupy a range of thermal niches in sediments, fresh water, sewage and sludge.

More than forty Naegleria species have been identified, and some are thermophilic (heat tolerant), and able to grow at temperatures as high as 46 degrees Celsius. One of the thermophilic species, Naegleria fowleri, can cause an infection called primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), an often fatal disease of the central nervous system.

3.1.3 In the Public Tap Water Supplies

The involvement of public tap water supplies in PAM infections was first documented in South Australia, where about 20 cases occurred between the 1940’s and 1970’s in several towns that received their water supply through long, above-ground pipelines.

About half of the cases did not have a recent history of freshwater swimming, but had intra-nasal exposure to tap water such as inhaling bath water or squirting water from a garden hose into the nose.

Investigations revealed N. fowleri in the water supply, and it was concluded that the high summer water temperatures in the pipelines combined with a lack of chlorine disinfection provided a suitable environment for growth of the organism.

Tap water may also have been the primary source of infections attributed to swimming pools in these towns.

No further cases of disease occurred after introduction of measures to reliably maintain disinfection levels along the above-ground pipelines an in the town water systems.

A few cases of PAM linked to water supplies were identified in Western Australia, Queensland, and New South Wales during the 1970’s and early 1980’s. During the period 2006 to 2015, Queensland has seen four more confirmed cases of PAM, three of which are known to have resulted from exposure to untreated private water supplies on remote farming properties. All three of these cases were fatal.

N. fowleri has also been found in water supplies in the Northern Territory, but no human infections have been documented there.

3.2 E.coli (Escherichia Coli)

Escherichia coli (abbreviated as E. coli) are bacteria found in the environment, foods, and intestines of people and animals. E. coli are a large and diverse group of bacteria. Although most strains of E. coli are harmless, others can make you sick.

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/index.html

The presence of E. coli in water is a strong indication of recent sewage or animal waste contamination.

Most coliform bacteria do not cause disease. However, some rare strains of E. coli, particularly the strain 0157:H7, can cause serious illness. Water pollution caused by faecal contamination is a serious problem due to the potential for contracting diseases from pathogens (disease causing organisms). Frequently, concentrations of pathogens from faecal contamination are small, and the number of different possible pathogens is large. AS a result, it is not practical to test for pathogens in every water sample collected. Instead, the presence of pathogens is determined with indirect evidence by testing for an “indicator” organism such as coliform bacteria.

E. coli should not be present in any sample of drinking water. Risk management plans should incorporate corrective actions in the event of the detection of E. coli in drinking water.

3.3 Giardia (Giardiasis)

Giardia is an infection of the bowel, caused by a parasite called Giardi Duodenalis. It can cause abdominal (stomach) pain and diarrhoea. Giardi infection can cause long-lasting symptoms and serious problems, especially in children.

It is one of the most common diseases worldwide that’s carried by water.

The parasite must enter by mouth (usually by drinking contaminated water or eating contaminated food) to cause infection. Food and water can get contaminated if you do not wash your hands after going to the toilet, after changing nappies or after handling infected animals.

Some people have Giardia without having any symptoms at all, but they can still spread the parasite.

Some people have Gastroenteritis, with symptoms like:

Stomach cramps or bloating
Excessive Gas or Flatulence (wind)
Diarrhoea, which may be watery and smelly.

Some people become unable to tolerate dairy products for a few weeks.

Symptoms may last for months (especially if left untreated), and can return.

Source: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/giardia

3.4 Cryptosporidium (Crypto)

Cryptosporidium, also referred to as Crypto, is a microscopic parasite that causes the diarrheal disease cryptosporidiosis. There are many species that infect animals, some of which infect humans.

Cryptosporidium is transmitted when people or animals ingest food or water contaminated with its oocysts (the infectious particles of the parasite). Infections can be caused by exposure to either drinking water or recreational waters.

The first signs and symptoms of Crypto infection usually appear within a week after infection and may include:

Water diarrhoea
Dehydration
Lack of Appetite
Weight loss
Stomach cramps or pain
Fever
Nausea
Vomiting

3.5 Coliform Bacteria

Coliform bacteria are defined as rod-shaped Gram-negative non-spore forming and motile or non-motile bacteria, which can ferment lactose with the production of acid and gas when incubated at 35-37 degrees Celsius.

They are a commonly used indicator of sanitary quality of foods and water.

Coliforms can be found in the aquatic environment, in soil and on vegetation; they are universally present in large numbers of the faeces of warm blooded animals.

While coliforms themselves are not normally causes of serious illness, they are easy to culture, and their presence is used to indicate that other pathogenic organisms of faecal origin may be present.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coliform_bacteria

Common Water Borne Diseases

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Module 1 - The Franchise System

Module 2 - Administration and PODAC/ITF

Module 3 - Technical Information and OH&S

1.0 Background of the Water Industry

2.0 Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG) Introduction

3.0 Common Water Borne Diseases

4.0 Chemicals and Substances found in Water

5.0 Pristine Water Systems Chemicals and Treatments

6.0 Water Testing/Analysis & Results

7.0 Industry Certifications

8.0 Safe Work Australia / Workplace Health & Safety / Occupational Health & Safety

9.0 Filtration & Ultraviolet Products

10.0 Types of Tanks

11.0 Other PWS Products & Equipment

12.0 Glossary of Terms

Module 3 - Appendix

Module 3 Quiz

Module 4 - Operations - Standards

1.0 Introduction

2.0 The PWS Process

3.0 Planning your Work Schedule

4.0 Planning Product Ordering

5.0 Water Testing

6.0 AqueousPro™ 50 Water Sanitiser

7.0 Water Tank Cleaning

8.0 Filtration / Sterilisation Supply (Assembly)

9.0 Ongoing Service and Maintenance

10.0 PWS Standards

11.0 AqueousAir™ Assembly & Installation Instructions

Module 4 - Appendix

Module 4 Quiz

Module 5 - Sales, Marketing, Quoting & Invoicing

1.0 Introduction

2.0 Advertising & Marketing

3.0 Selling PWS / Selling Yourself

4.0 Assessments & Quoting

5.0 Invoicing

Module 5 Appendix

Module 5 Quiz

Module 6 - Equipment Maintenance

1.0 Introduction

2.0 Vehicle Maintenance

3.0 Equipment Maintenance

Module 6 Quiz

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