How do Cryptosporidium oocysts get into drinking water?
Cryptosporidium gets into surface water sources such as rivers and lakes from the stools of infected animals. Many municipal water treatment plants get their water from these surface water sources that can contain Cryptosporidium oocysts. Does the treatment process remove the oocysts? Filtration treatment will usually remove Cryptosporidium oocysts. Chlorination by itself is not effective. All Virginia localities that use surface water sources or groundwater sources that are under the direct influence of surface water (GUDI) are required to provide filtration treatment. The better the equipment and the more experienced the operators the less likely it is for oocysts to get through, but it is possible to have oocysts show up in drinking water that has been adequately treated. What does it mean if Cryptosporidium oocysts are found in drinking water? Authorities believe that the detection of a few oocysts in drinking water does not pose a threat to people with healthy immune systems. It t
