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Drinking Water Nitrification Surveillance Program

A Good Idea

Description

Nitrification is not addressed by the current Safe Drinking Water Act regulations, but it can significantly deteriorate water quality in a public drinking water distribution system. Nitrite in drinking water poses an acute health concern, causing serious illness and sometimes death in infants less than six months old from methemoglobinemia (blue-baby syndrome). Nitrification can also cause a loss of the disinfectant residual in the water, leading to other bacteriological problems. Lee County's nitrification surveillance practice easily and rapidly monitors for, detects, and confirms nitrification occurrence in a drinking water distribution system, thus allowing a public water utility to execute timely countermeasures. Although nitrification countermeasures are known and available, an easy, fast, and inexpensive early warning system was sorely lacking. This practice fills that void.

Goal / Mission

The goal of this program is to detect nitrification in drinking water in order to protect infants under six months old from methemoglobinemia and prevent other consequential bacteriological problems.

Results / Accomplishments

The health department trained field staff to watch for symptoms of nitrification, such as a sharp, unexpected decrease in total chlorine residual or an unexpected decrease in pH. If such symptoms are observed, then staff conducts a one-minute nitrate/nitrite field test using water quality test strips. If the test strip qualitatively confirms nitrification, then staff immediately notify the water utility so that they can 1) take countermeasures and 2) collect a water sample to obtain a certified laboratory analysis of nitrite and nitrate. The certified laboratory results are used to determine whether public notification is warranted.

About this Promising Practice

Organization(s)
Lee County Health Department
Primary Contact
Gary Maier, Professional Engineer Administrator
1039 SE 9th PL, #164
Cape Coral, FL 33990
(239) 274-2200
gary_maier@doh.state.fl.us
http://www.lee-county.com/healthdept/engi.htm
Topics
Health / Maternal, Fetal & Infant Health
Environmental Health / Toxins & Contaminants
Organization(s)
Lee County Health Department
Source
National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO)
Date of publication
2005
Location
Lee County, FL
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