Chemical and Pathogenic Contaminant Exposure: Waterborne Pathogens and Indicators

Potential pathogenic water contaminants include many different species of bacteria, protozoans, and viruses. Disinfection of drinking water protects human health from numerous potential pathogenic contaminants. However, many illnesses are attributable to waterborne pathogens each year in the United States.

The U.S. Geological Survey is conducting research on sources, occurrence, and movement of targeted pathogenic organisms in ambient, recreational, and drinking water sources. Chemical and microbial indicators of pathogen occurrence are also being researched by USGS.

In drinking water

• Enteric viruses in shallow ground water in Maryland
• Emerging pathogens in untreated sources of drinking water

Sources, environmental occurrence, fate and transport

• Aquifer Storage and recovery processes
• Occurrence in artificial recharge
• Bacteria and their effect on ground-water quality
• Pathogens in Michigan ground water
• Antibiotic-resistant bacteria in environmental waters
• Fecal coliform in Virginia streams

Other Sources of USGS Information on Waterborne Pathogens

• Ohio USGS Microbiology Research
• USGS workshop on public-health microbiology
• Bacteria contaminant interaction

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U.S. Department of the Interior | U.S. Geological Survey
URL: http://health.usgs.gov/dw_contaminants/pathogens.html
Page Contact Information: Herb Buxton
Page Last Modified: 15-Jun-2006@08:37