Dear Customer:

 

The Upper Mohawk Valley Regional Water Board is pleased to present our water quality report to you.    Today, there is a heightened public awareness concerning our natural resources and environment.  The quality of drinking water is understandably a primary interest.

This report includes information on the tests we perform on our water both to comply with State and Federal regulations and to test for some compounds which are not regulated.

Also addressed are some of the most commonly asked questions by our customers.   We have also included information on bottled water, lead and copper, Cryptosporidium, and other topics.

The Upper Mohawk Valley Regional Water Board is committed to meet all standards and to produce a high quality water for you.   Since the opening of our 18 million dollar state-of-the-art water treatment plant in December of 1992, the quality of the water has vastly improved.   We are proud to report that during 2008, the water provided by the Upper Mohawk Valley Regional Water Board (UMVRWB) meets or surpasses all Federal and New York State Drinking Water Standards.

The Regional Water Board is confident that we will continue to produce high quality water for you at reasonable costs.   We are especially anxious to hear your comments concerning this report.  Please forward your comments to:

Connie K.  Schreppel Ph.D.

Water Quality Laboratory

Upper Mohawk Valley Regional Water Board

1 Kennedy Plaza   Box 345

Utica, New York 13503

 HOW WE TREAT YOUR DRINKING WATER

SOURCE

Pure Adirondack Mountain Water

North of the Mohawk and Hudson Rivers is the largest public parkland in the forty-eight contiguous United States:  the Adirondack Park. Covering one-third of New York State - and containing an area approximately the size of the state of Vermont - the 6 million acre Adirondack Park contains thousands of acres of mountain and forestland.  Over half of this land is protected by New York State legislation, which assures it will remain forever wild.

 

It is in the heart of this sanctuary that the Mohawk Valley Water Authority system is found.  The water we drink gathers in the streams and creeks of a remote Adirondack mountain watershed, far from settled areas and farmland, free from the chance of pollution from people or agricultural runoff.  These tributaries drain into the West Canada Creek, which carries our water to the New York State - owned Hinckley Lake, our water-supply reservoir.  It is here that our water begins its journey through the pipes of the Mohawk Valley Water Authority system to thousands of homes and businesses.

  

CHLORINATION AND THMs

 

Most public water systems have been chlorinated since the turn of the century, when it was recognized that water-borne diseases could be eliminated, or at least greatly reduced, by disinfection. Ironically, while chlorination protects us from bacterial disease, it caused a problem of another nature.

 

Our Adirondack water is rich with the organic elements pure mountain streams are made of: silt, tree twigs, bark and leaves.  When chlorine mixes with the naturally-decaying organic matter found in most lakes and streams, compounds of trihalomethanes (THMs) are created.  Above certain concentrations, THMs are believed to be harmful to health.  The treatment plant, through filtration, has eliminated the problem with THMs.

REMEDY - FILTRATION

 In 1986, the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) directed the City of Utica to construct a water treatment plant to ensure quality drinking water by 1991.  The Utica Board of Water Supply and the Utica Common Council approved the project in 1986.  After four years of testing, planning, and design, construction on the water treatment filtration plant began in 1990 at a site outside of the Village of Prospect in the Town of Trenton.  The water treatment plant became operational in December 1992. Since the New York State directive, federal legislation has required that all surface water supply systems be filtered.

HOW IT WORKS

 The water treatment plant includes a double filtration system to filter out most of the natural organic water.  With less organic matter in the water, there is minimal chemical reaction with the chlorine.

The filtering process alone removes 99.9% of bacteria from the water.   Therefore, less chlorine is needed to treat the filtered water.  Also, due to the elimination of most of the organic matter in our water there is less taste, color and odor.

RESULT - QUALITY

Mohawk Valley Water Authority System customers can be assured that their drinking water is of the highest quality.  The system is state-of-the-art and our water can rival the quality of any bottled water.   With the water treatment and filtration plant, we have been able to actually improve on nature, by taking fresh Adirondack mountain water, and then through filtration and chlorination, assuring that the water we drink is free from disease causing bacteria.

FACILITY FACTS

 SOURCE OF SUPPLY

Adirondack Watershed - 373 square mile

Hinckley Reservoir

 WATER TREATMENT PLANT CAPACITY

 32 million gallons per day maximum

 19 million gallons per day average

 RAW WATER PIPELINES

 36" and 24"

 PROCESS

Rapid mix - in-line static mixer

Contact basins - 2 basins - 50' x 150'

Absorption clarifiers - 4 clarifiers - 626 sq. ft. each

Filters - 4 filters - 1248 sq. ft. each

Backwash tanks - 769,000 gallons

Clearwell - 1 tank - 1.5 million gallons

Waste disposal - 3 lagoons, 6.2 acres

CHEMICAL FEED

Soda ash

Alum

Polymers

Chlorine

Lime

Fluoride

SITE SIZE

62.6 acres total           

THE TEAM THAT DISTRIBUTES WATER TO YOUR DOOR

 The Mohawk Valley Water Authority operates and maintains a distribution system of more than 650 miles of pipeline ranging in size from 3/4" to 36" in diameter.  The system also includes approximately 8,500 valves, 3,600 hydrants, and 38,975 service connections that are all maintained by Water Board forces.

In any given year, our crews respond to an average of  300 leaks.  The MVWA’s repair crew is on call 24-hours a day to respond to leaks and other emergencies.

 

During normal working hours, crews are involved in preventative maintenance programs on valves and hydrants to insure that the system operates efficiently.

 

WATER SYSTEM MAINTENANCE AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT SUMMARY

System Improvements

During 2008 the Mohawk Valley Water Authority continued its aggressive program of reinvestment in the Regional System.  Total capital expenditures were 9 million. Since 1998 over $ 35 million has been expended on capital improvements to ensure reliable, quality water service.

On-going Projects in 2008 included:

Regulatory Compliance Plan - Water Treatment Plant (WTP) Clearwell and Deerfield Tank - $9,600,000

The WTP Clearwell was completed and brought on line in Summer of 2008.  The 10 million gallon Deerfield Tank is in the final testing phase. These projects are required by new EPA/DOH water quality regulations.  The new WTP Clearwell will improve disinfection efficiency at higher flow rates and the Deerfield Tank will allow the existing uncovered reservoir to be placed on stand-by service.

Regulatory Compliance Plan – Marcy Reservoir and Toby Road Tanks - $12,400,000

The final design of the Marcy Reservoir and bidding of these three projects was commenced in 2007.  Marcy Reservoir Tank was bid in March 2009 and construction will commence in summer 2009.  The Toby Road Tanks are in final design and will be bid in Summer 2009. These tanks are also required by new EPA/DOH water quality regulations and will permit the existing open Marcy Reservoir to be removed from active service.

Hydraulic Modeling- $425,000

A hydraulic model of the entire Regional System was completed and calibrated in 2008.  The model will be used to evaluate system deficiencies, identify capital improvements and for emergency response planning.

Leak Detection Program Phase 5- $25,000

This phase of the leak detection program was undertaken in February 2008 and is nearly complete with over 100 leaks identified.  Repairs are completed by MVWA forces.  Identifying and repairing leaks reduces unaccounted for water, reduces the number of main breaks and improves system pressures. This phase begins the second time the Regional System will be entirely checked for leaks.

Water Main Replacement & Extensions in Whitestown, Utica & Holland Patent- $ 140,000

Over 2100 feet of new 8” & 12” water main was installed by MVWA’s own forces to eliminate dead end mains in several locations.  These areas included Walnut St. in Utica, Parkside Court in NY Mills, and Powell Rd. in Trenton.  The projects improve water quality, pressure and fire protection.

GAC Full Scale Pilot Study- $ 280,000

This full scale filter study was undertaken to determine if GAC was an effective filter media for removing organic carbon from the raw water during the treatment process. More effective removal of organic carbon will further reduce the formation of disinfection by-products following chlorination of the drinking water.

WATER QUALITY DEPARTMENT

The Water Quality Department is responsible for monitoring and ensuring that the water produced and delivered by the Mohawk Valley Water Authority meets or exceeds the water quality standards set by New York State and the Federal government.

 

The department operates the in-house laboratory, obtains outside analytical services, sets standards for water treatment operations and conducts research projects.  The research projects are used to solve problems and to prepare to meet future regulatory requirements.  As new requirements are put into effect, the Mohawk Valley Water Authority will have to alter its treatment process to meet these standards.  Our research activities will allow us to determine which treatment processes are the most effective for achieving the highest quality water in a cost effective manner and make sure that we are ready to meet new standards as they are proposed and implemented.

 

In 1996, the Water Quality Laboratory expanded its capabilities to include a state-of-the-art microbiological testing facility.  This effort has continued through 2008.  We are active participants in national and international research projects concerning the detection and identification of waterborne parasites and pathogens such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium.  Laboratory equipment includes sophisticated microscopes equipped with sophisticated computerized programs for imaging and archiving. The facility is second to none in New York State and is one of only approximately 35 laboratories nationwide that is approved by the U.S. EPA for protozoan pathogen monitoring.  Our laboratory was one of six laboratories nationwide that was chosen by the USEPA to test Giardia/Cryptosporidium Method 1623 for the USEPA Supplemental Survey.  This was a year-long project that resulted in an improved detection method for Protozoan Pathogens.

 

In October 1999, the MVWA received a USEPA grant to begin the study and implementation of a comprehensive source water protection program and watershed management plan. The final report was filed with the EPA in 2000 however this project has become incorporated into an ongoing effort to help protect our source water that is the heart of our community and our way of life.

 

The Water Quality Department is also an active member of the American Water Works Research Foundation (AWWARF).  During 2008, the Water Quality Department staff presented research papers concerning water quality and the MVWA’s operations.  During 2009, we hope to continue these efforts and make a difference in the water quality field.

WATER QUALITY REGULATIONS

In 1974, Congress passed the Safe Drinking Water Act, which set federal standards for drinking water.  At that time, 22 contaminants were regulated.  In 1986, the Act was amended to regulate many more contaminants and to further reduce acceptable levels of some contaminants.  Currently more than 80 contaminants are regulated in potable water.  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has begun to regulate additional contaminates during 2001.  These federal standards are then adopted (and occasionally made more stringent) by the New York State Sanitary Code.

 

The Water Quality Laboratory ensures compliance with the federal and state regulations in part by continuous in-house sampling and testing.  Samples are taken around the clock every day by the Water Treatment Plant Operators.  These samples are used to test for total coliform bacteria, pH, turbidity, chlorine residuals, fluoride concentration, alkalinity, hardness, and chloride.

 

The majority of the regulated contaminants are tested less frequently on a schedule set down in state and federal regulations.  These include inorganics (metals and non-metals), organics (chemical solvents, pesticides, herbicides, hydrocarbons) and radioactive compounds.  For most of these substances, testing shows no detectable amounts present in our water.

 

In July of 1997, a new EPA testing regulation began.  This regulation, called the Information Collection Rule (ICR), remained in effect until December of 1998.  The MVWA was required to monitor many new chemical parameters as well as protozoan pathogens under this rule.  Also during this time period, treatment plant data and distribution system samples and data were compiled. The results of this testing was made available in 1999 by the EPA in the form of a national database available on the Internet.

 

The Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (LT2) and the Stage 2 Disinfection/Disinfection Bi-Products (Stage 2 DBP) Rule were enacted by EPA in January 2006.  The LT2 rule requires most systems to monitor their raw source water for Cryptosporidium for a period of 2 years and then provide additional treatment of the water if levels are greater than threshold limits established by the rule.  The LT2 Rule also requires all systems with uncovered finished water reservoirs (UFWR) to remove those reservoirs from service, cover them, or treat the effluent leaving the UFWR.

 

The Stage 2 DBP Rule requires large water suppliers to systematically identify areas in the distribution system with the worst potential for disinfection by product formation and to select new monitoring sites from this process.  Further, this rule requires each new site’s running annual average to be in compliance with federal limits of 0.080ppm for Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) and 0.060ppm for Haloacetic Acids (HAAs).  Prior to this rule all monitoring sites were averaged to achieve an overall distribution average for regulatory compliance.

 

The results of the testing required by the Safe Drinking Water Act are submitted regularly to the Oneida County and New York State Health Departments.  With the opening of the new water treatment plant in 1992, the water quality has vastly improved and the water is either meeting or exceeding the water quality standards.

 

 WHAT CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS AND BACTERIA DO

WE FIND IN THE DRINKING WATER?

Drinking water contains many different chemical compounds, many of which occur in nature. Some of these, such as minerals, impart a flavor to the water and prevent it from tasting bland.  Other chemicals, such as heavy metals or pesticides, are contaminants that can affect health if ingested and must be removed or reduced to acceptable levels set by the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the New York State Health Department.  Most of these contaminants do not appear in nature.  We test for many groups of compounds.  These include: Volatile Organic Chemicals, Synthetic Organic Chemicals, Inorganic chemicals including metals and non-metals, Pesticides, Radio nuclides, Trihalomethanes, and some unregulated compounds.

 

Many of the compounds that we test for have maximum contaminate levels (MCLs), which are established by state and federal regulation. The maximum level for these compounds is based on health related information. The presence of these compounds at levels exceeding the maximum allowable level requires immediate public notification to our customers and state officials.  The USEPA has not yet set standards for some unregulated compounds.  Additional information about any compound on the following list can be obtained from the Water Quality Department.

 

The 2008 results of testing for the compounds are listed in the following tables.  The frequency and amount of testing is mandated by the NYS Health Department and all results are reported to that agency.  Parameters such as pH, turbidity, fluoride, and bacterial tests are monitored several times per day.

 

The allowable concentration is the maximum contaminate level or MCL.  The MCL is generally in units of milligrams per liter (mg/L) or micrograms per liter (µg/L), but other units are used for some parameters.  These are listed in the table.  Other information is listed in the table.

 

Also listed in these tables is a summary of the Bacterial Analysis that is performed daily by the Water Quality Laboratory.  Testing is done throughout the entire distribution system to monitor for disinfectant residuals and bacterial content.  Several types of bacterial tests are performed.  These include:  the test for Total Coliform Bacteria, and the test for Escherichia coli.

 

Testing in 2008 has revealed less than one coliform per 100 ml in all of our monthly monitoring averages.  The water that our customers receive is of a superior bacteriological quality. 

TABLE 1.  EPA 525.2 SEMI-VOLATILE SOC’s (sample taken 9/19/08)

 

 NOTE:       CONC - Concentration

                  < - Less than

                    NL – No Limit

                  µg/L – Micrograms/per liter

                    Mg/L – Milligrams/per liter

TABLE 2.  EPA 200.8 TOTAL METALS BY ICP/MS

 

 TABLE 3.  EPA 335.2 TOTAL CYANIDE

 

  

TABLE 4.  EPA 524.2 POC’S VINYL CHLORIDE & MTBE

 

 

TABLE 4.  EPA 524.2 POC’S VINYL CHLORIDE & MTBE - (Continued)

 

 TABLE 4.  EPA 524.2 POC’S VINYL CHLORIDE & MTBE - (Continued)

 

 

ANNUAL AVERAGES (± s.d.) FOR YEAR 2008

(Raw Water vs. Finished Drinking Water)

*Distribution  water 

  

 NOTE:    CONC – Concentration     µg/L – Micrograms/per liter    NL- no limit at this time    NTU Nephlometric turbidity units

                < - Less than                  Mg/L – Milligrams/per liter    s.d.- Standard deviation

                    ANNUAL TABLE 6.  MICROBIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS

 OTHER ANALYSIS

DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM 2006

 

  TABLE 7(a), (b),  THM/HAA ANALYSIS

(a) - TOTAL TRIHALOMETHANE LEVELS - TTHM

 

Year 2006	AVERAGE TTHM (µg/L)
4-QUARTER AVERAGE TTHM	63
	Range of: 19-124
ALLOWABLE AVERAGE LIMIT (MCL)	80

 (b) - HALOACETIC ACID - HAA

 

Year 2006	AVERAGE HAA (mg/L)
4 QUARTER AVERAGE HAA	24
	Range of:  11-49
ALLOWABLE AVERAGE LIMIT (MCL)	60

 TABLE 8.  SAMPLE LEAD MONITORING ( samples taken 2006)

 

SITE NO.	LEAD RESULTS (ppb)	SITE NO.	LEAD RESULTS (ppb)
1	<1.0	27	4.7
2	<1.0	28	5.0
3	<1.0	29	5.0
4	<1.0	30	5.0
5	<1.0	31	5.4
6	<1.0	32	5.5
7	<1.0	33	5.7
8	<1.0	34	5.8
9	<1.0	35	6.2
10	<1.0	36	6.4
11	<1.0	37	6.5
12	1.6	38	7.1
13	1.7	39	7.4
14	2.2	40	7.7
15	2.3	41	7.7
16	2.6	42	8.4
17	2.6	43	8.5
18	3.4	44	8.7
19	3.8	45	9.0
20	3.8	46	9.1
21	3.9	47	9.3
22	4.2	48	11.0
23	4.3	49	11.0
24	4.3	50	11.0
25	4.4	51	11.0
26	4.7	52	15.0
		53	21.0
		54	23.0

N0TE:

1)     90.0^th percentile is # 49 0.011 mg/l or 11  ppb lead.

 

        Federal regulations require the 90^th percentile lead level to be 15 ppb or lower.

Next required monitoring 2009

RADIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS* 

	LEVEL ALLOWED	RESULT
GROSS ALPHA	15 PcI/L	1.16
RADIUM -226		0.204
RADIUM -228		0.176
Combined RADIUM	5 pCi/L	0.380

 

  

CRYPTOSPORIDIUM/GIARDIA INFORMATION 

Cryptosporidium is a disease caused by the parasite Cryptosporidium parvum, which as late as 1976 was not known to cause disease in humans.  Until 1993, when over 400,000 people in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, became ill with diarrhea after drinking water contaminated with the parasite, few people had heard of either Cryptosporidiosis or the single-celled protozoan that causes it.

Since the Milwaukee outbreak, concern about the safety of drinking water in the United States has increased, and new attention has been focused on determining and reducing the risk from Cryptosporidiosis from community and municipal water supplies.

            Under the new Safe Drinking Water Act that has not been finalized, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will require all public water systems over 10,000 people to start looking for Cryptosporidium in the sources of their drinking water.  Those systems that find the parasite will also have to test their finished water - the water that comes out of the tap for Cryptosporidium.

           The Mohawk Valley Water Authority’s Water Quality Laboratory has recognized the importance of monitoring for this parasite.  The Water Quality Laboratory has expanded to become a state of the art facility capable of monitoring for waterborne parasites and pathogens. Both the raw (Hinckley Reservoir) and finished waters are being monitored on a regular basis.

The best means of controlling the parasite is through a multi-barrier defense of filtration and chlorination.  Both of these processes are performed and monitored at the Water Treatment

Plant located in Prospect, New York.

 A New York State Health Department Fact Sheet concerning Cryptosporidiosis is included with this water quality report.  Further questions concerning Cryptosporidium can be addressed by contacting the Water Quality Laboratory or the Oneida County Department of Environmental Health.

 

Information on Cryptosporidium and Testing Results for 2008

             Cryptosporidium is a microbial pathogen found in surface water and groundwater under the influence of surface water.  Although filtration removes Cryptosporidium, the most commonly-used filtration methods cannot guarantee 100 percent removal.  During 2008 as part of our routine sampling,12 samples of Hinckley Reservoir raw source water and 12 samples of our filtered water were collected and analyzed for Cryptosporidium oocysts.  Of these samples 0 Hinckley Reservoir raw source water samples were positive for the presence of Cryptosporidium.  However, previous testing indicates Cryptosporidium may be present in our source water. No Cryptosporidium was detected in our filtered drinking water. Current test methods do now allow us to determine if the organisms are dead or if they are capable of causing disease.  Ingestion of Cryptosporidium may cause cryptosporidiosis, a gastrointestinal infection.  Symptoms of infection include nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps.  Most healthy individuals can overcome this disease within a few weeks.   However, immuno-compromised people are at greater risk of developing life-threatening illness.  We encourage immuno-compromised individuals to consult their health care provider regarding appropriate precautions to take to avoid infection.  Cryptosporidium must be ingested to cause disease, and it may be spread through means other than drinking water.

 Information on Giardia and Testing Results for 2008

             Giardia is a microbial pathogen present in varying concentrations in many surface waters and groundwater under the influence of surface water.  Giardia is removed/inactivated through a combination of filtration and disinfection or by disinfection.  During 2008, as part of our routine sampling, 12 samples from the Hinckley Reservoir raw source water and 12 samples of our filtered water were collected and analyzed for Giardia cysts.  Of these samples, from the Hinckley Reservoir raw source water 6 tests were positive for Giardia.  Therefore, our testing indicates Giardia may be present in our raw source water.  However, no Giardia was detected in our filtered drinking water.  Current test methods do not allow us to determine if the organisms are dead or if they are capable of causing disease.  Ingestion of Giardia may cause Giardiasis, an intestinal illness.  People exposed may experience mild or severe diarrhea, or in some instances no symptoms at all.  Fever is rarely present.  Occasionally some individuals will have chronic diarrhea over several weeks or a month, with significant weight loss.  Giardiasis can be treated with anti-parasitic medication.  Individuals with weakened immune systems should consult with their health care providers about what steps would best reduce their risks of becoming infected with Giardiasis.  Individuals who think that they may have been exposed to Giardiasis should contact their health care providers immediately.  The Giardia parasite is passed in the feces of an infected person or animal and may contaminate water or food.  Person to person transmission may also occur in day care centers or other settings where handwashing practices are poor. 

CRYPTOSPORIDIOSIS:   FACT SHEET

FROM:            New York State Health Department

 Cryptosporidiosis (krip-toe-spo-rid-e-o-sis) is the disease, often called crypto, caused by a one-celled animal, Cryptosporidium parvum, which is too small to be seen without a microscope.  When people get infected with Cryptosporidium, they can have diarrhea, stomach cramps, an upset stomach, or a slight fever.  The first symptoms of Cryptosporidiosis may appear 2 to 10 days after a person becomes infected.  In a healthy person with a normal immune system, symptoms normally will last for about two weeks or less, although individuals may recover then get worse again.  Some people with crypto may not get sick, but they can still pass the disease to others.  After infection, an individual can pass Cryptosporidia in the stool for months, and may give the disease to other people.  Individuals with severely weakened immune systems may have Cryptosporidiosis for a longer time and should talk with their health care providers to learn how to avoid the disease.  They can also call the CDC AIDS Hotline at 1-800-342-2437 for more information on cryptosporidiosis.

Cryptosporidium infection can be caused by swallowing only a small amount of Cryptosporidium oocysts.  Some sources of infection are:

 Water

 Water in lakes, rivers, streams, pools and jacuzzis may be contaminated with Cryptosporidium oocysts. Swallowing this water when swimming or drinking it may cause cryptosporidiosis.

 Drinking water or ice may also contain Cryptosporidium.  Cryptosporidium is in many of the lakes and rivers that provide drinking water in the United States.  Unlike most germs and one-celled animals, Cryptosporidium is not killed by the chlorine used to treat drinking water.  Boiling water is the best method of killing Cryptosporidium.  Water should be brought to a rolling boil for one full minute.  After the boiled water cools, it can be stored in a clean, sealed bottle or pitcher with a lid and used normally.  Individuals should be careful not to touch the inside of their water bottles.  Water can also be filtered to remove Cryptosporidium.  Only filters labeled as reverse osmosis, and /or tested and certified by NSF Standard 53 for cyst reduction and/or absolute micron size of one micron or smaller are guaranteed to remove Cryptosporidium.  Persons drinking bottled water should look for evidence of these treatments on the bottled water label or buy distilled water.  Canned and bottled bubbly drinks, such as sodas and beer, are usually heated and filtered enough in the factory to remove or kill Cryptosporidium.  Hot tea and coffee also have no live Cryptosporidia.

Stool

 Cryptosporidium can be found on clothing, bedding or other things used by infected persons, such as persons with diarrhea or children in diapers.  Individuals should always wash their hands after touching these things and before touching food or the mouth.  Sex that may involve contact with stool, especially oral sex, can also pass Cryptosporidia.  The stool of domestic and farm animals, especially animals less than six months old or animals with diarrhea, can contain Cryptosporidium.  Individuals should always wash their hands after touching animals or cleaning up their stool or visiting barns and areas where these animals live.

Food

Vegetables and fruit that touch dirt might be contaminated.  Washing vegetables and fruit that will not be cooked, with water that has been boiled or filtered to remove Cryptosporidium, or bottled water that does not contain Cryptosporidium, can make them safer.  Fruit that will not be cooked can also be peeled to make them safer.  Fruit that will not be cooked can also be peeled to make it safer.  Cooked and packaged foods are probably safe if they are not handled by an infected person after cooking or processing.  Unpasteurized milk or dairy products may not be safe.

 Objects

Dirt in the garden and other places can become contaminated when an animal with Crypto leaves its stool there.  Any object, such as a faucet handle, diaper changing table or bed pan, that is touched by an infected person who did not wash well after using the toilet can be contaminated.  Individuals should always wash their hands well after working in dirt or touching anything that could have been contaminated by a person with Crypto.

There is no known drug that can cure Cryptosporidiosis.  Healthy individuals will recover on their own. Persons with diarrhea should drink plenty of fluids and may want to drink an oral rehydration therapy mix, to avoid dehydration.  These mixes are available at drug stores and sports stores.  They may also wish to take anti-diarrhea medicine.  Persons with weakened immune systems should consult their health care provider if they think they have Cryptosporidium.

If someone is infected with Cryptosporidium, they should wash their hands regularly, especially before preparing food and after going to the toilet; avoid close contact with anyone who may have a weakened immune system; and avoid swimming in public bathing areas (swimming pools, water parks, etc.) while they have diarrhea and for at least two weeks after it clears up.