The Toledo Drinking Water Advisory: Suggested Application of the Water Safety Planning Approach

Savitri Jetoo, Velma I. Grover and Gail Krantzberg
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Savitri Jetoo: Department of Civil Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L7, Canada
Velma I. Grover: Engineering and Public Policy, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L7, Canada
Gail Krantzberg: Engineering and Public Policy, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L7, Canada

Sustainability, 2015, vol. 7, issue 8, 1-22

Abstract: On 2 August 2014 the city of Toledo, in Ohio USA issued a “do not drink” water advisory and declared a state of emergency. This was as a result of elevated levels of the toxin microcystin in the final treated water, a dangerous toxin produced by the algae cyanobacteria. The Toledo water crisis is a key focusing event that can advance dialogue on eutrophication governance in the context of public health. This paper examines the Toledo water ban with the aim of determining whether this crisis could have been averted. Further, we explore how this event can be used to stimulate action on eutrophication governance, to motivate action to protect water at its source. We use the World Health Organization’s Water Safety Planning Methodology to show that the crisis could have been averted with some simple risk management actions. We also show that a water safety planning approach could lead to well developed operational and maintenance planning resulting in a higher probability of safe drinking water.

Keywords: drinking water advisory; Toledo water; water safety planning; Great Lakes; eutrophication; cyanobacteria (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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