Operational management of Naegleria spp. in drinking water supplies in Western Australia

Abstract

Naegleria fowleri is a free-living amoeboflagellate inhabiting soil and water that can cause Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM), a rare and sometimes fatal disease. In Australia, the amoeba typically inhabits drinking water supplies that have consistent water temperatures above 20°C. The incidence of PAM is widespread in Australia, with reports from South Australia, Western Australia, New South Wales and Queensland. One of the key issues for water utilities is the potential widespread distribution of N. fowleri and its ability to infect and re-infect drinking water supplies. In Western Australia, the majority of drinking water supplies are operated by the Water Corporation. This paper describes the conditions under which Naegleria spp. have been detected and describes the operational methods employed by the Water Corporation to control and mitigate Naegleria in public drinking water supplies.