The vast majority of diving fatalities involve operations which are not in compliance with existing safety regulations, often being conducted by local scuba divers, rescue divers, or even employees of the water supply operating entity. A recent example had a water supply employee become entangled while descending a ladder to perform an inspection. He was hung upside down, and subsequently drowned. The diver had only recently received his recreational diving certification. This was a preventable death, and will almost certainly have significant liability repercussions to the operator of the water supply.
Commercial diving is a safe, efficient manner to inspect most potable water facilities.
Several inland companies specialize in potable water inspections, with extensive equipment and procedures designed to maintain water system purity. Liquid Engineering Corporation of Billings, MT, is one such contractor. These masks do not prevent divers from releasing body fluids into the surrounding water, and the wet suits are by definition permeable. We have equipment dedicated to potable diving work only. Our usual configuration is a Desco Pot Hat with dual exhaust, mated to a Nokia dry suit with gloves mated using attachment rings.