Background

On May 2324, 2000, close to 660 people in

Walkerton, Ontario, had ailments such as bloody

diarrhea, vomiting, severe stomach cramps and fever
(Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound Health Unit, 2000).
It was discovered that the drinking water Well, by

the cattle manure, contained the deadly E. Coli

O157:H7 bacterial strain.

Timeline of Events
Walkerton was served by three Wells in May of

2000, identified as Wells 5, 6 and 7

Stan and Frank Koebel were the general manager

and foreman of the Walkerton Public Utilities

Commission, respectively.
During Stans absence from May 5 to May 14, he left

instructions with Frank to replace a non-functioning

chlorinator on Well 7.

Timeline of Events contd

On May 15, Stan returned and turned on Well 7, presumably

believing that his instruction was carried out by Frank.

When Stan realized that the non-functioning chlorinator on

Well 7 had not been replaced, he continued to allow Well 7 to

pump into the Walkerton system, until Saturday, May 20.
Unfortunately, during that time, Well 5 was shut off on May

15, making the unchlorinated Well 7 supply the only source of

water for Walkerton during the week of May 15.

Environmental Health and

Effects
Over 2,300 people became ill

and 7 died as a result of the

Escherichia Coli bacterial
infection. (BruceGrey-Owen
Sound Health Unit, 2000).
Vulnerable groups of the E.
Coli O157:H7 were children
and elderly.

Risk Assessment
The Inquiry Commission found that a number of

Ministry of Environment programs and regulated

policies were deficient (Walkerton Inquiry, 2002, p.
4).
The Commission found that the Ministry did not

follow procedures for the chlorination and monitoring

of drinking water.

Risk Management
The assistance of major hospitals in London and

Toronto were requested in treating Walkerton

residents.
The assistance of Health Canada in conducting an

epidemiological investigation.
The Ontario government announces it will spend $25

million on safe drinking water and clean air in the

provincial budget.

Risk Communication
Hospitals were told to boil the water before usage and

to discard any food prepared or washed with

Walkerton tap water.
The Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound Health Unit advised

residents to boil their drinking water or use bottled

water until further notice.

Jamaicas Agencies and Policies

Responsible for Regulating Water
Pollution
National Environment and

National Irrigation Corporation

Planning Agency (NEPA)

National Water Commission

(NWC)
Ministry of Health (MOF)
Water Resources Act (1995)

Water Resources Policy

Office of Disaster

Preparedness and Emergency

Management (ODPEM)

Natural Resources Conservation

Authority (NRCA)

References
Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound Health Unit (2000). The Investigative Report of the
Walkerton Outbreak of Waterborne Gastroenteritis, MayJune, 2000. (Released
October 10, 2000 during public meeting, Walkerton, ON.)
Hrudey,
S.
(2006).
Googlecom.
Retrieved
19
June,
2016,
http://www.aeespfoundation.org/sites/default/files/pdf/AEESP_CS_1.pdf
In-text citation: (Hrudey, 2006)

from

Walkerton Inquiry (2002). Brief of part one report of the Walkerton inquiry.
http://walkertoninquiry.com/ The Walkerton Inquiry, Dennis R. OConnor,
Commissioner.
Iwlearnnet. (2001). Iwlearnnet. Retrieved 22 June, 2016, from http://iwlearn.net/iwprojects/1254/reports/jamaica-national-report.pdf

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