Environmental Risk Factors Associated with Contamination of Private Drinking Water Wells with Escherichia coli

• Author / Creator

  Beliveau, Marie C

• The focus of this research was to identify environmental risk factors that play a critical role in the contamination of drinking water wells with Escherichia coli. This study used data from a case control-study carried out between April 2005 and September 2006 in Ontario and Alberta, using private water samples submitted from participating public health laboratories. Significant risk factors associated with Escherichia coli contamination of private drinking water wells included the type of water well used, the age of the water well, the housing of livestock on the property and total household income. The age of the water well was identified as a mediator for the type of water well used. The associations between environmental risk factors and Escherichia coli contamination of private drinking water wells provide rational for public health programs to highlight factors home owners should consider when working to prevent well water contamination and identify potential sources of contamination.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Drinking water
  • Escherichia coli
  • Private well

• Graduation date

  Fall 2014

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3W380

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.