Oral

In much of the world, water related illnesses still pose a major threat to human health. Diarrheal diseases alone account for 1.8 million deaths a year (WHO, 2004). In most developed nations, regulatory standards safeguard public drinking water systems. The Safe Water Drinking Act (SDWA) was established in 1974 and has since been amended to ensure the quality of potable water and its sources in the United States. However, in spite of regulatory guidelines, threats to our water quality still exist. This session will begin by examining chemicals that may enter drinking water system and the lack of policy to prevent such occurrences. Research on drinking water risks to poor and minority communities and failure of the SWDA to protect them will follow. A presentation on focusing on the USEPA Water Security Initiative and the importance of early warning and detection for waterborne disease outbreaks will follow. The session will end an overview of a new EPA laboratory network and how it will benefit the public health community.

Session Objectives: 1. Discuss the need to update the Safe Water Drinking Act. 2. Identify consequences for communities subsequent to implementation failures of the SWDA. 3. Describe the role of the Water Laboratory Alliance in a catastrophic event.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH)