Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID 2005VI47B

Evaluation of the Microbiological Quality of Cistern Waters in the Virgin Islands

Institute: Virgin Islands
Year Established: 2004 Start Date: 2004-09-06 End Date: 2005-02-28
Total Federal Funds: $48,000 Total Non-Federal Funds: Not available

Principal Investigators: Gary Toranzos, Henry Smith

Project Summary: Although cistern systems are heavily used in some areas of the world, little is known about the microbiological risks to public health. Indicators such as total and thermotolerant coliforms are used to determine potability, but may be of little relevance for these systems because of their unique characteristics. In this project we will analyze these systems for the presence of several groups of bacteria and bacterial viruses to try to determine which are the most likely group to indicate a risk to public health. These groups will include Pseudomonas spp., Aeromonas spp., coliphages (somatic and male-specific) and these will be compared to the usual battery of indicators. The first phase will include several cisterns that have been in use for several years as well as those which have recently been constructed. The second phase of the project will include an epidemiological study to determine public health risk as a result of the consumption of these waters.