RESEARCH INSIGHTS

DO WE NEED TO REASSESS OUR SEWER SYSTEM STANDARDS?

British Columbians are fortunate to have a range of the purest, safest, water sources in the world. Still, the possibility of water-borne, water-washed, and water-based illnesses concerns civil engineers, health officials and consumers. Canadian surveillance data suggest that potentially waterborne intestinal infectious diseases account for about 20% of reported communicable disease cases.

A group of University of British Columbia researchers from public health, pathology, civil engineering and sustainability streams collaborated in a unique study. Their purpose was to identify factors associated with disease incidence across multiple water and sewage systems.

They based their study in Langley, because it encompasses rural and urban areas with varied and well-characterized water supply and sewage disposal systems. Langley’s illness rates are similar to those elsewhere in North America, so they serve as a good model. The researchers evaluated water sources like groundwater and surface water, distinguished which homes used municipal or private supply and sewage systems, and then looked at doctor visits or hospitalizations for gastrointestinal infections.

Data Sources linked

• Health data: MSP billings and hospital discharge sheets
• Environmental data, including water: Federal, Provincial and Municipal sources

What did we learn?

• Municipal sewer systems were associated with an increased risk of gastrointestinal infections.
• Residents who used chlorinated water sources had less doctor visits for gastrointestinal infections.
• Private wells did not show an increased risk of disease, likely because residents were aware of and attentive to water quality.
• As predicted, women, babies, elderly, and low-income individuals showed higher rates of physician visits.
• Decreased duration of residence in the area (Langley) was associated with an increased risk.

Policy implications

• The higher disease rates for municipal sewer users may be related to other factors not accounted for in this study. Still, it is prudent to consider possible explanations. Guidelines and standards for separations between sewage and water supply lines are important. If other studies find similar results about municipal sewer systems, we may need to reassess current standards.
• Reinforcement that water-chlorination is an effective way of combating water-borne diseases.
• Targeted awareness strategies are necessary to alert those who are susceptible, including those who have recently moved to the neighbourhood, those with immune deficiencies, babies and the elderly. Parents and caregivers need to be educated about the increased risks.

Linked data research - informing policy-making for healthier communities

Population Data BC provides researchers with access to the data and training they need to address research questions on human health, well-being and development. Population Data BC does not have its own researchers or research program.