Injury of Enteropathogenic Bacteria in Drinking Water

Outbreaks of gastroenteritis due to contaminated drinking water are frequently documented occurrences. A variety of etiological agents have been implicated in this disease. However, the causative agent varies with the geographical area, climate, general level of sanitation, endemic persistance of the disease, as well as cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of the population. In less developed countries, the prevalence of one of a combination of these factors is, quite often, associated with frequent recurrences of gastroenteritis caused by a typical enteropathogen. In the United States, contaminated ground water is the major source of waterborne disease outbreaks (Craun, 1984). Contamination generally occurs in local areas by seepage of sewage into aquifers and improperly developed wells or is due to inadequately treated drinking water. It can also occur after the entry of sewage-contaminated surface water into poorly protected wells.