The Backflow Disaster
Two of the main hotels housing visitors lacked sufficient cross-connection protection, leading to a catastrophic outbreak of Amebic Dysentery. The tainted water affected nearly every occupant of these hotels, with an estimated 1,400 people falling ill and 98 tragically losing their lives. Given the time frame and limited information sharing, it’s likely these numbers were just a fraction of the actual cases.
The disaster's impact was exacerbated by the incubation period of Amebic Dysentery, which ranges from 12 to 30 days. As a result, symptoms did not appear until visitors had returned to their homes, spreading the outbreak far and wide. Despite the growing number of affected individuals flooding local hospitals, the local government attempted to suppress the news, fearing it would deter future visitors during the remaining three months of the Fair.
According to a U.S. Health Services report at the time,
The Importance of Protecting Our Water Supply
This tragic event underscores the critical importance of protecting our water supply—a responsibility that remains as vital today as it was then. Fortunately, modern plumbing systems are required to meet the rigorous standards set by the Clean Water Act, EPA regulations, and best practices outlined in plumbing codes.
Backflow preventers serve as our first line of defense against deadly cross-connections. Although not universally enforced across the U.S., ongoing education and improvements in plumbing systems are essential to preventing such disasters in the future.
This history serves as a powerful reminder of the stakes involved and the progress we've made, but also of the work still needed to safeguard public health through proper cross-connection control.
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