The Walkerton E. coli outbreak was the result of a contamination of the drinking water supply of Walkerton, Ontario, Canada, with E. coli and Campylobacter jejuni bacteria. The contamination caused gastroenteritis and sickened more than 2,000 people and resulted in six deaths.
Who was responsible for the Walkerton tragedy?
Stan Koebel, former manager of the Walkerton utilities commission, was sentenced to a year in jail Monday for his part in the water tragedy that killed seven people in May, 2000, closing what many hope to be the final chapter in the saga of the devastating E. coli outbreak.
Could the Walkerton tragedy have been avoided?
Seven people died and hundreds were made ill from drinking contaminated water in Walkerton, Ont., in 2000. And according to the local medical officer of health, it all could have been prevented.
What happened after the Walkerton tragedy?
20 years after the Walkerton Tragedy, Ontario could be setting itself up for a new water crisis. Twenty years ago, a different public health crisis was gripping Ontario. In the middle of May 2000, heavy rains swept cow manure off agricultural fields, and harmful bacteria along with it, into a drinking water intake well Jun 1, 2020
Is Walkerton water safe to drink?
Walkerton water declared safe to drink.Dec 6, 2000
What changed after the Walkerton tragedy?
After the Walkerton Tragedy occurred, the Ontario Legislature enacted three key laws intended to implement the multi-barrier approach: the Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002, Nutrient Management Act, 2002, and Clean Water Act, 2006 (CWA).
Where is Frank Koebel now?
Unlike his brother, Frank Koebel still lives in Walkerton, where he spent nine months under house arrest. Like his brother, he doesn't want to talk about the tragedy and the impact it has had on him and their families.
What did the provincial government do for the Walkerton drinking water crisis?
The second half of the Walkerton report recommended that the Ontario government spend up to $280 million on water safety and that it implement a safe drinking water act. The report also recommended that the government establish a special agency within the Environment Ministry to deal with water safety.
What did Frank Koebel do?
Stan and Frank Koebel received their sentences Monday for their role in a deadly E. coli outbreak in a small Ontario town in May 2000. utilities manager Stan Koebel was sentenced to one year in jail, while younger brother Frank, who was water foreman, got a nine-month conditional house arrest.
How did the Walkerton water crisis affect the environment?
Today we know that crisis as “The Walkerton Tragedy”. In the middle of May 2000, heavy rains swept cow manure off agricultural fields, and harmful bacteria along with it, into a drinking water intake well. Tragically, seven people succumbed and died as a result of drinking the tainted water.Jun 1, 2020