A study commissioned by the NCC for Environmental Health – Retrospective Investigation of Drinking Water-Related Illnesses in Canada (Novometrix Research Inc.) - thoroughly investigated waterborne disease events that occurred between 1993 and 2008 and identified risk factors. One of the main findings of this investigation is that these events have been linked to small water systems.
The following were among the issues identified by that research:
• Outbreaks of waterborne diseases provide opportunities to identify sources, health impacts and other contributing factors to waterborne illnesses.
• Canada currently has no national surveillance system for waterborne disease outbreaks and no standardized approach to collection of information on outbreaks.
• Information collected on waterborne disease outbreaks is often not published, distributed or adequate.
Consultations
To guide the Project's direction, the NCCEH consulted public health inspectors responsible for small drinking water systems in May, 2009, at the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors Conference. Since then, the NCCPH has sought direct input from water systems experts, front-line professionals and policy-makers at the following events: a session on June 9 at the CPHA Conference in Winnipeg; a one-day forum on June 23 in Toronto; a session on July 14th at the International Congress on Circumpolar Health in Yellowknife; and a session in Montreal on September 24, 2009.
Each session was a great opportunity to exchange knowledge and expertise. NCCEH presented results of their investigation and participants identified the needs of small drinking water systems that are not currently being addressed in Canada. These productive sessions are helping to identify research priorities and opportunities for future collaboration regarding the safety of small drinking water systems in Canada's northern and remote communities. A number of gaps were identified and prioritized within each of these six areas:
• Testing
• Treatment
• Surveillance
• Interventions
• Policy
• Education and Training
The latest consultation on the Small Drinking Water Systems Project was held on June 15, 2010, at the Canadian Public Health Association Conference in Toronto. This event was an opportunity for participants to give their feedback on the projects's work and orientation.
Have a look at the PPT presentation.
To access the CPHA 2010 SDWS Session Summary, click here.
Another presentation given by Mona Shum, Manager at the NCC for Environmental Health, took place at the Consensus Conference on Small Water Systems Management for the Promotion of Indigenous Health, in March, 2010. To watch this presentation offering an update on the project, please click the link below. (This is an external link, only available in English.)
The presentaiton is the # 10 from the list: http://cahr.uvic.ca/category/videos/
In October 2009, a survey has been conducted to prioritize the activities in each of the six given areas. Priorities being rated include the effectiveness of chemical or physical tests for drinking water safety, the costs of test procedures, the evaluation of the evidence related to the success/failure of recent water systems upgrades and if these lessons can be applied in different contexts, etc. The survey's results will help the NCCs develop a comprehensive approach to best provide public health oversight of small water systems.
Click here to access the Survey Results Summary.