Virginia Tech researchers conducted a study to assist the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) in determining the policies and procedures necessary for the implementation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency final guidelines for the certification and recertification of small water system operators of community (CWS) and nontransient noncommunity public (NTNC) water systems serving under 3,300 people. A 42-question survey was developed and mailed to 2011 public water systems that serve 3,300 people or less. Survey results revealed that small systems in Virginia encompassed a diverse group of waterworks and owners/operators. Significant differences were found when survey results were analyzed by the number of people served and system category. Systems serving less than 100 people tended to not have a licensed operator, not have a full time employee, not meter their customers, and not have an operations and maintenance budget. As the system size increased, the likelihood of each increased. This research was supported by a grant from the Virginia Department of Health. / Master of Science

The effectiveness of Boil Water Advisories (BWAs) as a public health risk management tool is increasingly being questioned. Newfoundland and Labrador's zero-risk policy for issuing BWAs on public drinking water systems has resulted in over 210 active BWAs annually, the majority classified as long-term BWAs. BWAs are more likely to occur on small systems, in communities with low economic capacity, and in communities without a certified operator. No relationship was found relating confirmed cases of water-related illness to BWAs. Quantifiable health risk associated with BWAs was evaluated using Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (QMRA). Data on source water pathogen concentrations and epidemiological data was used to evaluate and calibrate the QMRA Model. The study demonstrated the application of QMRA in determining whether health risk warranted issuing a BWA. Eleven recommendations were made on how the province could adopt QMRA in establishing an alternative drinking water risk management and advisory framework.