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Cited by 115Fecal contamination and water qualityViral gastroenteritis research and epidemiologyWastewater Treatment and Reuse

Norovirus outbreak caused by a new septic system in a dolomite aquifer

Borchardt, Mark A., Bradbury, Kenneth R., Alexander, E. Calvin, Kolberg, Rhonda J., Alexander, Scott C., Archer, John R., Braatz, Laurel A., Forest, Brian M. +2 more·2011·Groundwater
DOI 10.1111/j.1745-6584.2010.00686.x
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Abstract

Septic systems that are built in compliance with regulations are generally not expected to be the cause of groundwater borne disease outbreaks, especially in areas with thick vadose zones. However, this case study demonstrates that a disease outbreak can occur in such a setting and outlines the combination of epidemiological, microbiological, and hydrogeological methods used to confirm the source of the outbreak. In early June 2007, 229 patrons and employees of a new restaurant in northeastern Wisconsin were affected by acute gastroenteritis; 6 people were hospitalized. Epidemiological case-control analysis indicated that drinking the restaurant's well water was associated with illness (odds ratio = 3.2, 95% confidence interval = 0.9 to 11.4, P = 0.06). Microbiological analysis (quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) measured 50 genomic copies per liter of norovirus genogroup I in the well water. Nucleotide sequencing determined the genotype as GI.2 and further showed the identical virus was present in patrons' stool specimens and in the septic tank. Tracer tests using dyes injected at two points in the septic system showed that effluent was traveling from the tanks (through a leaking fitting) and infiltration field to the well in 6 and 15 d, respectively. The restaurant septic system and well (85-m deep, in a fractured dolomite aquifer) both conformed to state building codes. The early arrival of dye in the well, which was 188 m from the septic field and located beneath a 35-m thick vadose zone, demonstrates that in highly vulnerable hydrogeological settings, compliance with regulations may not provide adequate protection from fecal pathogens.

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Crossref · 10.1111/j.1745-6584.2010.00686.x

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  • While these regulations are designed to protect domestic wells from wastewater pathogens, waterborne disease outbreaks can still occur from drinking water wells contaminated by new septic systems built in compliance with local regulations.

    “While these regulations are designed to protect domestic wells from wastewater pathogens, waterborne disease outbreaks can still occur from drinking water wells contaminated by new septic systems built in compliance with local regulations (Borchardt et al., 2011).”

    From Septic systems as sources of organic wastewater compounds in domestic drinking water wells in a shallow sand and gravel aquifer (2016) · cites this paper as Borchardt et al., 2011

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Authors
Borchardt, M. A., Bradbury, K. R., Alexander, E. C., Kolberg, R. J., Alexander, S. C., Archer, J. R., Braatz, L. A., Forest, B. M., Green, J. A., & Spencer, S. K.
Affiliations
  • Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation (US)
  • Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey (US)
  • University of Minnesota (US)
  • Wisconsin Division of Public Health (US)
  • Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (US)
Corresponding author
Borchardt, Mark A.
ORCID
Venue
Groundwater
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2010-12-22
Volume
49
Issue
1
Pages
85-97
ISSN
  • 0017-467X (ISSN-L)
  • 1745-6584
DOI
10.1111/j.1745-6584.2010.00686.x
OpenAlex
W2104461908
Cited by
115
References
43
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 14 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 11 · 2013: 7 · 2012: 7
FWCI
6.48
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor)
Locations
  • Ground Water (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Water Science and Technology › Fecal contamination and water quality
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Infectious Diseases › Viral gastroenteritis research and epidemiology
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Waste Management and Disposal › Wastewater Treatment and Reuse
Keywords
norovirus, norovirus outbreaks, septic systems, groundwater contamination, vadose zone, acute gastroenteritis, well water, septic tank effluent, tracer tests, norovirus genogroup I, restaurant customers, fecal pathogens
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Child, Disease Outbreaks, Female, Gastroenteritis, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Water Microbiology, Water Supply, Caliciviridae Infections, Norovirus, Young Adult

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