1. Infectious Agent : Pathogens
Marcela Todd and Emma Davis
12/14/16
7th period

2. Types of Pollution Pathogens: microorganisms that can cause diseases
Bacteria
Viruses
Protozoa (single celled eukaryotes)

3. Effects
The presence of pathogens in water can lead to varied health issues, including gastrointestinal illness, reproductive problems, and neurological disorders

4. Causes
Bacterial pathogens occur in surface water, and can either be excreted in feces or can occur naturally in the environment
There are over 100 viruses that are transmittable through water that has been used for bathing, washing, drinking, in the preparation of food, or in the consumption of food that is infected
Protozoa are usually only found in water that has been contaminated by feces
Examples of how pathogens spread include: drinking contaminated water, coming into contact with animals, and swimming in contaminated pools
Extreme weather events that cause floods increase the risk of waterborne diseases because they spread contaminated water

5. Examples E. Coli is a common disease causing bacteria found in water
Salmonella and Staphylococcus aureu are also common disease caused by bacteria
Viral diseases: Hepatitis A, rotavirus, and enterovirus

6. Case Study
In Flint, Michigan in 2014, there was a deadly outbreak of the deadly Legionella pathogen that killed 12 people and made another 91 sick. The Flint river is naturally very corrosive, so it ate into pipes which the legionella fed on.

7. How do scientists test for pollutant?
In order to find pathogens in the water, scientists test for coliform bacteria, which indicates that there might be a harmful pathogen in the water.
The presence of coliform bacteria is not a guarantee that a harmful pathogen is in the water.

8. Laws related to pollutant
The Environmental Protection Agency sets guidelines for water contaminants in the Safe Drinking Water Act
For all pathogens that the EPA has identified as harmful, no concentration of the pathogen is allowed
The Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Response Act of 2002 also forced water treatment plants to increase security and create new procedures

9. Solutions
The most common, most cost effective way to keep pathogens out of water is chlorination
There are other ways, such as ultraviolet radiation, ozone and chlorine dioxide, but these methods can be expensive and have limitations that are not worth their benefits

10. References
Pathogens in Your Well Water - Drinking Water - Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit. (n.d.). Retrieved December 14, 2016, from
(2015). Retrieved December 14, 2016, from
"Water Quality." HSC Biology - Water pathogens. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Dec
(n.d.). Retrieved December 14, 2016, from
Bouffard, K. (2016). Flint water likely Legionella cause, expert says. Retrieved December 14, 2016, from
Water Quality Information for Consumers. (n.d.). Retrieved December 14, 2016, from
EPA, U. (2016, October 4). Table of regulated drinking water contaminants. Retrieved December 14, 2016, from contaminants#Microorganisms
Water quality and health council - drinking water Chlorination, water Disinfection, and safe water. Retrieved December 14, 2016, from