No increased risk in drinking melbourne tap water
14 June 2002
Drinking untreated tap water in Melbourne will not lead to a greater risk of developing gastroenteritis, researchers say.
People living in homes installed with a filter and UV light water purification system suffer just the same levels of gastroenteritis as those who drink regular tap water.
There were no differences in the illness episodes, duration or percentage of people seeking gastroenteritis treatment between the group of people with a water treatment unit and those with a sham treatment unit that looked identical.
'The results indicate that micro-organisms in drinking water are not a significant cause of gastroenteritis in Melbourne,' the researchers said.
A total of 600 Melbourne families participated in the 18-month, double-blinded study.
Each family was asked to fill in questionnaires on water consumption, record any gastroenteritis symptoms in a diary and collect faecal specimens during gastroenteritis episodes.
More than 700 cases of highly credible gastroenteritis were recorded, with Norwalk-like virus and Escherichia coli the most common organisms identified.
According to the researchers, the characteristics of Melbourne water are different from water in other large cities because their catchment area is protected from human influence.
Last Reviewed: 18 June 2002
- 1. Medical Observer Weekly 14/6/02
