Minnesota Groundwater Virus Study
The objective of this project is to build on previous efforts aimed at determining the public health risk due to virus contamination in Minnesota groundwater. The Minnesota Department of Health will examine the occurrence of viruses in non-disinfecting groundwater sources in Minnesota as well as evaluate the association between source water virus occurrence and community acute gastrointestinal illness. The results will contribute to the scientific understanding of viruses in groundwater in Minnesota and will be used to develop and improve health-based guidance tools to reduce the public health risk from viruses in groundwater drinking water sources.
Waterborne viral illness outbreaks have been associated with groundwater sources (Brunkard et al. 2011). National surveys have shown that approximately 30% of drinking water wells may be contaminated with human pathogenic viruses (Abbaszadegan et al. 2003). However, it is unknown whether these viral contaminants are responsible for a significant proportion of endemic (non-outbreak) illness, or if they are responsible for outbreaks with no known cause. Previous studies to examine occurrence of viruses in drinking water in Minnesota have been limited.
$250,000 the first year and $250,000 the second year are for evaluating and addressing the risks from viruses, bacteria, and protozoa in groundwater supplies and for evaluating land uses that may contribute to contamination of public water systems with these pathogens.
$100,000 the first year and $100,000 the second year are for evaluating and addressing the risks from viruses in water supplies.
$100,000 the first year and $100,000 the second year are for evaluating and addressing the risks from viruses in water supplies.
275,000 the first year and $75,000 the second year are for development and implementation of a groundwater virus monitoring plan, including an epidemiological study to determine the association between groundwater virus concentration and community illness rates.
275,000 the first year and $75,000 the second year are for development and implementation of a groundwater virus monitoring plan, including an epidemiological study to determine the association between groundwater virus concentration and community illness rates.
$800,000 the first year and $800,000 second year are for the development and implementation of a groundwater virus monitoring plan, including an epidemiological study to determine the association between groundwater virus concentration and community illness rates. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2017.
-An estimated virus occurrence rate in Minnesota's public water supply wells -Knowledge of virus occurrence and associations with critical factors and indicators -Enhanced groundwater microbial risk management guidance -Guidance to public water systems on how to implement risk management measures if pathogens are present
$800,000 the first year and $800,000 second year are for the development and implementation of a groundwater virus monitoring plan, including an epidemiological study to determine the association between groundwater virus concentration and community illness rates. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2017.
United States Geological Survey (USGS)