OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the scale of the public health risk from stormwater runoff caused by urbanization. METHODS: We compiled turbidity data for municipal treated drinking water as an indication of potential risk in selected US cities and compared estimated costs of waterborne disease and preventive measures. RESULTS: Turbidity levels in other US cities were similar to those linked to illnesses in Milwaukee, Wis, and Philadelphia, Pa. The estimated annual cost of waterborne illness is comparable to the long-term capital investment needed for improved drinking water treatment and stormwater management. CONCLUSIONS: Although additional data on cost and effectiveness are needed, stormwater management to minimize runoff and associated pollution appears to make sense for protecting public health at the least cost.
OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the scale of the public health risk from stormwater runoff caused by urbanization. METHODS: We compiled turbidity data for municipal treated drinking water as an indication of potential risk in selected US cities and compared estimated costs of waterborne disease and preventive measures. RESULTS: Turbidity levels in other US cities were similar to those linked to illnesses in Milwaukee, Wis, and Philadelphia, Pa. The estimated annual cost of waterborne illness is comparable to the long-term capital investment needed for improved drinking water treatment and stormwater management. CONCLUSIONS: Although additional data on cost and effectiveness are needed, stormwater management to minimize runoff and associated pollution appears to make sense for protecting public health at the least cost.
Authors: John P Bucci; Michelle D Shattuck; Semra A Aytur; Richard Carey; William H McDowell Journal: Environ Monit Assess Date: 2017-07-20 Impact factor: 2.513
Authors: Ryan J Newton; Jessica L Vandewalle; Mark A Borchardt; Marc H Gorelick; Sandra L McLellan Journal: Appl Environ Microbiol Date: 2011-07-29 Impact factor: 4.792
Authors: Jyotsna S Jagai; Jeffrey K Griffiths; Paul K Kirshen; Patrick Webb; Elena N Naumova Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2012-05-07 Impact factor: 3.390
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Authors: Abhilasha Karkey; Thibaut Jombart; Alan W Walker; Corinne N Thompson; Andres Torres; Sabina Dongol; Nga Tran Vu Thieu; Duy Pham Thanh; Dung Tran Thi Ngoc; Phat Voong Vinh; Andrew C Singer; Julian Parkhill; Guy Thwaites; Buddha Basnyat; Neil Ferguson; Stephen Baker Journal: PLoS Negl Trop Dis Date: 2016-01-06