Don't Drink the Water
Author(s):
James K. A. Smith
James K. A. Smith, 2000. Used by
permission.
As a chemical engineer often contracted by the small
municipality of Walkerville, Ontario to test drinking water
samples, you have a first hand acquaintance of the difficulties
faced by cash strapped municipal governments since they were
burdened with the task of testing drinking water in private
labs after 1993. The decision to shift responsibility for such
testing was made by Michael Harrison's conservative provincial
government as a way to cut costs and save tax dollars. But many
in the know have been wondering if the real cost of such
measures might not far exceed anything that could be fiscally
measured.
A small, rural municipality such as Walkerville (pop. 5,000)
simply cannot afford extensive or frequent testing (many homes
have individual wells, making comprehensive testing even more
difficult). And cutbacks in the Ministry of Environment -- the
provincial government body regulating drinking water standards
-- prevent the ministry from capably staffing their offices.
The result is a system with a number of gaps and lots of room
for dangerous drinking water to go unnoticed.
However, earlier this month, in a test of water from
Walkerville, your team did detect dangerously high levels of a
particular strain (0157) of E. coli (Escherichia coli) bacteria
(probably resulting from manure run-off in the heavy rains
several weeks ago). In some ways relieved to have noticed
before any harm was done, according to procedure you
immediately alerted the Utilities Commission manager, Dan
Groebel, clearly expressing what the water contained, the risks
it posed, and recommending emergency action be taken. But that
was 10 days ago and you have heard nothing more. Repeated
attempts to contact Groebel and get some answers are not
returned. Residents of Walkerville have no knowledge of the
danger they might be drinking.
- What could have happened?
- As an engineer, what should you do?
- What are your options?
- What will you choose?