Surveillance of waterborne disease in England and Wales.

A pilot scheme, designed to improve the information on waterborne disease available nationally, was set up in five health regions from October 1991 to March 1992. Consultants in communicable disease control were asked to report each month on confirmed and suspected cases of waterborne disease, and microbiological and other contamination incidents. Twelve events were reported to the PHLS Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre (CDSC) in six months: five involved human illness and seven were contamination incidents. Six other events were reported to CDSC from regions that did not take part in the scheme. The total number of events reported was small and epidemiological evidence that linked disease with water consumption was often weak or absent. Nevertheless, the scheme provided valuable information on events associated with water and would prove useful if it were established nationally, linked with guidance on the investigation of incidents.