A Bryan, Texas Water Services Department calendar contained the following caption for the above image: “Your H2O heroes are constantly on the lookout for the dreaded nemesis “Crypto.”
Cryptosporidium is a microbial contaminant that exists in all drinking water, but it sometimes infects infants, some elderly, those undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, patients receiving steroid treatment, HIV or AIDS sufferers, and others with weakened immune systems.” Image courtesy of Water Services Division, Bryan, TX.

Crypto Creature Jolts Public Into Heeding Water Quality Threat

Does it take a Crypto Creature to catch public attention and raise concerns about critical water issues citizens should know and care about? The Water Services Department of Bryan Texas found the approach effective in educating citizens about the threat of cryptosporidium in drinking water. Whatever else might be said of the strategy of relying heavily on the skills of a cartoonist, the message came readily across that the crypotosporidium pathogen is mean, nasty and dangerous, a pest best shunned.

Another cautionary water message that recently caught public attention was that drinking water supplies throughout the country contain pharmaceuticals. The Associated Press interviewed scientists, federally funded researchers, university professors and private drinking water experts for an article that found a vast array of pharmaceuticals in the drinking water supplies of at least 41 million Americans. AP noted the problem in the water supplies of 24 major metro areas, including Tucson.

Prompt response was forthcoming. Editorials appeared in newspapers throughout the land urging communities that test for pharmaceuticals to make the information public and those that don’t test to start soon. Some called for a more active federal role in testing and upgrading water treatment plants. Illinois announced the start of a water testing program, and the New York City Council held an emergency hearing. Pharmaceutical industry officials announced an initiative focused on informing Americans how to safely dispose of unused medicines. Senate hearings were scheduled to assess risk and consider national remedies.

In Arizona, Phoenix and Scottsdale heeded the call and announced they would begin testing drinking water supplies for pharmaceuticals. Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon said “We read the AP story and made a determination that we should test our water and be transparent, just let the people know what we find.”

AP’s director of media relations said many government and academic researchers “are thanking AP for sounding an alarm and bringing the situation to the attention of millions of Americans.”

The odd, and to some the discouraging fact is that the presence of pharmaceuticals in water supplies is not unknown to water researchers and many public officials; the issue has attracted much concern, study and research. Whatever awareness the public has of the issue, if any, did not raise undue concern, however, until AP published its articles. Through newspaper exposure the concern achieved celebrity status and became the talk of the town, a cause célèbre. The public then took note, and red flags were raised throughout the land.

Apart from the fact that pharmaceuticals are present in water supplies — a serious and urgent concern — another issue is at stake here, one that researchers and public officials have long pondered: What must be done to attract public attention to an important water issue? The public response to the AP article is no doubt the envy of many university researchers working diligently in labs with the hope that their work will get some public attention and make a difference in the world.

When it comes to water issues — and many other kinds of issues as well — a gap often exists between the people in the know and the people needing to know. Bridging that gap is a serious challenge. Relying on newspapers comes with some risks — inaccuracy, distortions and sensationalism among them— although no gainsaying that newspapers can play a powerful role in helping to get word out about important issues, such as pharmaceuticals in drinking water.

It would undoubtedly be to the advantage of water professionals if, in some way, they could take a more active role informing the public about important issues, a prescription admittedly easier said than done.

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