September 16, 2014
Naegleria fowleri Alive and well in another Louisiana water system.
Shreveport Times reports that positive results for Naegleria fowleri were found in Ebarb, Louisiana. The positive results were in the system’s lines in the Aimwell area, which serves 5,529 people. Reported by
Vickie Welborn, September 12, 2014.
EBARB – The Ebarb Water System has tested positive for the brain-eating amoeba, according to state health officials. The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals said the infected water was sampled in August as part of its surveillance program. DHH learned the Ebarb system was not in compliance with the state’s emergency rule, which requires water systems to maintain a minimum disinfectant residual level of 0.5 milligrams per liter throughout all of their distribution lines. That level is known to control Naegleria fowleri.
The positive results were in the system’s lines in the Aimwell area, which serves 5,529 people. There have been no reports of illnesses in Sabine Parish as a result of…
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August 17, 2014
Now we can add a brain-eating amoeba to the list of contaminants that can be in tank sediment
Removing sediment from the floor of your water tanks and towers may also be removing the habitat that allows bacteria, protozoa and viruses from getting a foothold in your distribution system. Now we can add a brain-eating amoeba to the list of contaminants that the sediment on the floor of your water storage tank can support.
Number of Case-reports of Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis Caused by Naegleria fowler
September 16, 2013, NBC News reported: “Deadly brain amoeba infects US tap water for the first time”. The death of a 4-year-old boy near Violet, LA., was linked to the Naegleria fowleri amoeba. The child had been playing on a backyard slip-n-slide that used water from the St. Bernard Parish water system, that was later found to be contaminated with the amoeba. “Tests show it’s present throughout the water supply system in St. Bernard Parish, directly southeast of New Orleans.”
According to the CDC: “Naegleria fowleri (commonly referred to as the “brain-eating amoeba” or “brain-eating ameba”), is a free-living microscopic ameba, (single-cehttp://www.cdc.gov/parasites/images/naegleria/naegleria-cases-by-state-logo.jpglled living organism). It can cause a rare and devastating infection of the brain called primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). The ameba is commonly found in warm freshwater (e.g. lakes, rivers, and hot springs) and soil. Naegleria fowleri usually infects people when contaminated water enters the body through the nose. Once the ameba enters the nose, it travels to the brain where it causes PAM, which is usually fatal. Infection typically occurs when people go swimming or diving in warm freshwater places, like lakes and rivers. In very rare instances,Naegleria infections may also occur when contaminated water from other sources (such as inadequately chlorinated swimming pool water or heated and contaminated tap water) enters the nose. You cannot get infected from drinking water contaminated with Naegleria.”
The CDC also tested nearby DeSoto Parish Waterworks Dist. #1 because it was the near the site of an infection that happened in 2011 from non-potable water (lake or river, etc.). On October 8, 2013, The CDC confirmed the presence of the rare amoeba in five locations in DeSoto Parish Waterworks Dist. #1.
Heat is also a factor, an increase in only ten degrees can double the speed of bacteria growth. As record high temperatures become more common in summer months we see that keeping water distribution tanks free of sediment build up may be more important than ever before. Removing the sediment from your water tank may prevent a disaster before it can ever start.
Number of Case-reports of Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis by State of Exposure:
Ron Perrin is the owner of Ron Perrin Water Technologies in Fort Worth, Texas. Since 1997 his company has inspected over six thousand water storage tanks and towers in 14 states. Ron may be contacted through his web site at www.ronperrin.com
February 11, 2014
Rare amoeba found in drinking water system
August 2013, the death of a 4-year-old boy staying near Violet, Louisiana, was linked to the Naegleria fowleri amoeba. The child had been playing on a slip and slide connected to the St. Bernard Parish’s water system that was later found to be contaminated with the amoeba.
More common in Australia NBC news reported that this was the first case in the U.S.
For more see: “Four year old’s Death linked to Rare Amoeba in Water System”
Over time almost all tanks accumulate sediment on the floor. Any amount of sediment can become a habitat for bacteria, protozoa (like Cryptosporidium) and viruses. However, when tests show chlorine depletion, the idea of removing the sediment is usually not thought of. Additional treatment chemicals are usually the first line of defense, quickly becoming chemical warfare and potentially leaving the tank with low, or no, chlorine protection for long periods. American Water Works Association (AWWA) recommends that potable water storage tanks be cleaned every 3 to five years. Few states actually require tanks to be cleaned on a regular basis, and some don’t require it at all.
When a contaminant (bacteria, protozoa or viruses) enters a water storage tank and finds sediment to get a foothold in, chlorine can be quickly depleted while the contaminants grow under the protection of the sediment. Even otherwise harmless bacteria can help to deplete chlorine reserves leaving the tank vulnerable to more dangerous contaminants.
Removing sediment from the floor of potable water storage tanks greatly reduces the chance that any contaminant can get a foothold in the distribution system and grow to become a larger problem.
So why isn’t cleaning potable water storage tanks a common practice? Removing tanks from service to perform cleaning is time consuming and expensive. The smaller the water utility, the more difficult it is to find the budget for preventive maintenance. There are many contractors that offer Potable Water Dive crews that can remove floor sediment with little or no down time and minimal water loss. Using a qualified potable water dive crew to clean water storage tanks can save the water utility time and water.
Keeping potable water storage tanks free of accumulated sediment is essential for the health of the system and the health of your customers. If you administer a drinking water system, make a plan to schedule cleanings and stick to it.
References:
For more information on Potable Water Divers see: www.ronperrin.com
For more information on Naegleria fowleri amoeba in drinking water see:
http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/naegleria/public-water-systems.html
NOTE: You cannot be infected with Naegleria fowleri by drinking contaminated water. In very rare instances, Naegleria infections may also occur when contaminated water from other sources (such as inadequately chlorinated swimming pool water or contaminated tap water) enters the nose. (For example: when people submerge their heads or cleanse their noses during religious practices, and when people irrigate their sinuses (nose) using contaminated tap water.)
– Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Cryptosporidium Drinking Water Health Advisory EPA March 2001
December 6, 2011
DIVING INSPECTIONS with NO Disruption in Water Utility Service!
Photo: Preparing to dive potable a five million gallon clearwell at a water plant.
Our equipment is purchased for and only used in potable water. Our divers are Commercially certified through training approved by the Association of Diving Contractors. We primarily service Texas, the Midwest and the Southeast States. Our Florida tank inspections are performed at the direction of a Licensed Florida P.E. and our inspection reports include his summary and seal to meet all Florida State Requirements at no additional charge.
Divers are able to inspect or clean water storage tanks and towers with no disruption in service and minimal water loss. Our wide range of inspection services also includes a specially built “Remote Underwater Video Camera” (Shown Below) and a Remotely Controlled Vehicle (ROV). We have the right inspection for your water utility. Call toll free 1-888-481-1768 for a free quote.
Remote underwater Camera
Call us toll free at 888-481-1768 or simply fill out the form below:
(c) Ron Perrin 2014
September 15, 2010
Tank Inspection with No Disruption in Service
Our potable water dive crew is able to fully inspect your tanks without draining them. We cover all AWWA and Florida tank inspection points. Our inspection reports average 14 pages with digital photographs and a DVD of underwater conditions. Please see the inspection page at http://www.ronperrin.com for more details. Our Florida Licensed engineer will insure all requirements of Florida Rule 62-555.350 are met. Our potable water dive crew is also available to clean your water storage tanks with little if any disruption in your water service.
Ron Perrin Water Technologies Logo
Call for a free quote today 888-481-1768 or email ronlooks@aol.com
Visit our main web page at http://www.ronperrin.com
May 2, 2010
Potable Water Tank Cleaning
Our Potable water tank & tower cleaning will allow you to meet the requirementa of FLORIDA Rule 62-555.350. Our service offers removal of all sediment from the floor of the facility with little water los and little if any disruption in service. Please visit our main company web site at http://www.ronperrin.com
or call us toll free at 888-481-1768
Potable Water Diver in Kirby Morgan Helment
Since 1997 Ron Perrin Water Technologies has offered underwater inspection and cleaning services. All of our equipment is purchased for and only used in potable water. We will save you time water and money while delivering the best inspection report in the industry.
THE EPA IS NOW CONSIDERING REQUIRING ALL WATER STORAGE TANKS TO BE INSPECTED AND CLEANED
For more information see: THE WATER PROJECT BLOG AT www.ronperrin.us
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Our company offers the best inspections in the industry. To do that we have the right inspection tools for
your facility. Starting with the “Remote Camera Inspection” our specialy designed underwater camera and
lighting system is the perfect fit for smaller and mid sized tanks and towers. For midsize and larger facilities we offer a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) or diver inspections. The ROV can make its way to the rear of large water storage tanks and towers with no disruption in your water service.
Video Ray ROV
This video lets you see what it takes to inspect a water storage tower using the video ray ROV.
Want more? See my Google profile here: https://profiles.google.com/116437575796124654876/about
My You TUBE Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/RonPerrin?feature=guide#p/a/u/0/MLfqaWH_nO4
Or visit my blog at http://www.ronperrin.us
(c) Ron Perrin 2010 – 2014
Florida Tank Inspector 