During the past five years, distribution systems have been responsible for 45% of outbreaks of waterborne disease. The looming threat of bioterrorism and the vulnerability of the distribution system to attack have pressed the water industry to investigate the possibility of using on-line, real-time monitoring along with rapid screening of the water for toxic substances. These systems may prove to be a valuable monitoring tool to the industry, to water quality and to the safety of the American public. Mohawk Valley Water (MVW) heightened its concern for the vulnerability of its distribution system after the September 11th terrorism attacks. The MVW system has been classified as high risk due to the fact that it serves a population greater than 125,000 people and has two open finished water storage reservoirs located in the distribution system. Mohawk Valley Water's ten year capital plan includes additional covered water storage to eliminate these open reservoirs; however, a more immediate plan to safeguard the system was recognized as an important priority. Along with basic security measures such as site security, increased patrols of the distribution system, surveillance cameras and ID entry systems, MVW has chosen an on-line monitoring system utilizing the Dascore "Six-Cense" ceramic chip that utilizes Siemens CENSAR (Chemical ENvironmental Sensing ARray) technology. A network of remote monitoring stations has also been installed at strategic points of the distribution system. Along with these systems several rapid screening processes designed to monitor for toxic substances have been evaluated. These include the Checklight Ltd. Toxicity Testing System, a rapid method of quantification of viable bacteria using an ATP assay (New Horizons Diagnostics), immunomagnetic separation and flow cytometry for rapid detection of pathogenic microorganisms (Advanced Analytical Technologies Inc.) and biological (fish) monitors. This paper describes and evaluates the use of each of these techniques in drinking water. Includes 12 references, figure.
