UCD Directives

UC DAVIS:  OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

October 27, 1998

DEANS, DIRECTORS, DEPARTMENT CHAIRS, AND CAMPUS ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS

RE: Notification of Total Coliform Violation - September 1998

The campus water system is monitored on a regular basis for bacteriological
quality as required by State and Federal regulations. Using procedures
promulgated by the California Department of Health Services in September 1992,
the campus, in its monthly routine samples for September 1998, determined that
four of the 47 samples taken exceeded the quality limits for total coliform
bacteria.  No samples were positive for E. coli. Three of the four positive
samples were repeat samples after the initial positive detection.  The
positive detections were in samples collected at the Equine Research building on the
south campus.  It was determined that the contamination was likely caused by a
ruptured water main that was not sufficiently decontaminated.  The water line
was decontaminated and subsequent samples have reported no presence of total
coliform or E. coli.

The total coliform bacteria is not considered to cause disease or pose a
public health threat; it is used as an indicator organism. Its presence indicates a
source of bacteria in the distribution system.

While the State Department of Health Services has confirmed that there was no
health threat, regulations require that the following written notification be
given to the campus community.  The purpose of this notification is to
disclose a finding that occurred in mid-September and has already been corrected.

"The California Department of Health Services (Department) sets drinking water
standards and has determined that the presence of total coliform is a possible
health concern. Total coliform are common in the environment and are generally
not harmful themselves. The presence of these bacteria in drinking water,
however, generally is a result of a problem with water treatment or the pipes
which distribute the water, and indicates that the water may be contaminated
with organisms that can cause disease. Disease symptoms may include diarrhea,
cramps, nausea, and possibly jaundice, and any associated headaches and
fatigue. These symptoms, however, are not just associated with disease-causing
organisms in drinking water, but also may be caused by a number of factors
other than your drinking water. The Department has set an enforceable drinking
water standard for total coliform to reduce the risk of these adverse health
effects. Under this standard, no more than 5.0 percent of the samples
collected during a month can contain these bacteria, except that systems collecting
fewer than 40 samples/month that have one total coliform-positive sample per month
are not violating the standard. Drinking water which meets this standard is
usually not associated with a health risk from disease-causing bacteria and
should be considered safe."

If you have any questions, please contact Brian Oatman, EH&S, at 752-6041 or
Pete Storey, Facilities Services, at 752-0466.

Julie McNeal
Director

98-128 

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