AWWA WQTC69307

Through the Water Security Initiative, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) worked with the City of Cincinnati, Ohio, to deploy a contamination warning system pilot. The Cincinnati pilot leveraged the following public health surveillance data streams as part of the contamination warning system: 911 calls; emergency medical service logs; over-the-counter drug sales; Poison Control Center calls; emergency room chief complaints; and, infectious disease reporting. If an alarm is generated through one of these systems, the local health departments work collaboratively with Greater Cincinnati Water Works (GCWW) utility staff to conduct an investigation to determine whether or not the public health alarm is related to drinking water contamination. This paper presents a preliminary analysis of 911 call and emergency medical service data generated through the baseline or preliminary testing phase of the Cincinnati pilot public health surveillance component. The process for investigation of alarms, including the communication and coordination between the pilot utility, Greater Cincinnati Water Works, and local health departments is also discussed. Includes 5 references, figures.