Allentown has monitored both source water and finished water for Cryptosporidium. Although filtration removes Cryptosporidium, the most commonly used filtration methods can not guarantee 100 percent removal. Current test methods do not allow us to determine if the organisms are dead or if they are capable of causing disease. Ingestion of Cryptosporidium may cause cryptosporidiosis, an abdominal infection. Symptoms of infection include nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps.
Most healthy individuals can overcome the disease within a few weeks.
We encourage immuno-compromised individuals to consult with their doctor regarding appropriate precautions to take to avoid infection. Cryptosporidium must be ingested to cause disease, and it may be spread through means other than drinking water. The City of Allentown's water treatment facilities are designed to remove, through filtration, unwanted particles such as Cryptosporidium. Presently, there is absolutely no evidence indicating that our customers should be concerned with Cryptosporidium. Additional Analytical Information Table 3, titled Typical Analyses of Plant Discharge, contains information on parameters such as sodium and hardness.