Louisiana Fights Brain-Eating Amoeba In Water With New Regulations

Louisiana issued emergency water regulations this month to beat back the brain-eating amoeba incursion that resulted in the death of 4-year old boy over the summer.

The new rule requires that water systems maintain higher disinfectant levels and boost water sampling sites by 25 percent, the Associated Press reported. 

In water systems that use chloramine or free chlorine, "each must now maintain a continuous level of at least 0.5 milligrams per liter of the disinfectant in its water," the Times-Picayune reported.

The state health department said utilities have until February to meet the new standards.

Louisiana's Health Secretary Kathy Kliebert said in a release that the rules will make drinking water safer. 

"These rules will help parishes maintain quality, safe sources of local water for residents," she said. "The ameba has been traced back to a treated drinking water system, which is why we must take action now to ensure the safety of our people."

She said the state will continue to work with local water system operators to combat the threat.

Water Online previously reported that a brain-eating amoeba was found in the drinking water in St. Bernard Parish, LA, resulting in the death of a four-year old boy playing on a Slip 'N Slide over the summer.

Experts say the amoeba, Naegleria fowleri, can be found in lakes, ponds, rivers, untreated swimming pools, untreated well water and municipal water, and in thermally polluted water, such as power plant runoff.  

"The August death marked the third Naegleria fowleri-related death in Louisiana since 2011," The Advocate reported.

Legal experts say the amoeba could lead to more lawsuits. 

Gene Devine, an executive at Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services, explained "that the amoeba could pose a product liability exposure to the water district selling its services," PropertyCasualty360 reported. 

A lawsuit prompted by the 2011 amoeba-related death of a Louisiana man was recently settled. 

"Last year, Jeffrey Cusimano's parents sued NeilMed Pharmaceuticals, maker of a 'neti pot' that the 28-year-old used to clean his sinuses with water. They also sued Rheem Manufacturing, which made a water heater in his home. Their lawsuit claimed defects in both devices allowed Cusimano to become infected," the Associated Press reported. 

Want to publish your opinion?
Contact us to become part of our Editorial Community.