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Giardia is a microscopic organism found in most untreated surface
water. The Las Vegas Valley's water supply has been tested regularly
for this organism since 1994.
Giardiasis, the illness associated with this pathogen,
may cause severe diarrhea, abdominal cramps, malaise and weight
loss. Vomiting, chills, headache and fever can occur in more serious
cases. Giardiasis may pose a serious health risk to individuals
with severely suppressed immune systems.
One of the most effective safeguards against Giardiasis is ozonation,
a water treatment process which uses ozone to eliminate biological
organisms. The Southern Nevada Water Authority's Alfred
Merritt Smith Water Treatment Facility and River
Mountains Water Treatment Facility incorporated ozonation into
their treatment processes in 2003.
Giardiasis outbreaks occur more frequently in the
northeast and northwest, possibly due to the extended winter season
and low surface water temperatures. Most community outbreaks occurred
in water systems with minimum treatment to its surface water source.
A giardiasis outbreak usually occurs when conditions
include low water temperatures, poor sanitation upstream, beaver
colonies (or other ground animals such as muskrat) located near
the water supply intake and inadequate water treatment.
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