Disease outbreaks rising in wells and swimming pools

ATLANTA - Federal officials said Thursday that although publicly-operated water systems continue to grow safer, disease outbreaks are on the rise in wells and swimming pools. <br> <br> The problem, officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said, is that private wells are not regulated, people often aren&#39;t aware of the quality of water they drink or swim in, and that more training is needed to keep germs out of pools. <br> <br> Sherline Lee of the CDC said many drinking-water outbreaks are preventable. <br> <br> The CDC reported more than 2,000 people were made ill between 1999 and 2000 in 39 outbreaks involving drinking water in 25 states. Two died and 122 were hospitalized. <br> <br> The number of outbreaks was more than twice as high as the 17 outbreaks that happened nationwide between 1997 and 1998. But officials said outbreaks in regulated public water systems, such as from municipalities, are on the decline. <br> <br> Because most of the outbreaks involved wells, Lee said owners or users of well water should make sure the well is properly constructed, maintained or tested. Lee said there are about 14 million households that use wells in the U.S. and about 30,000 new wells drilled each year. <br> <br> In addition, nearly 2,100 people between 1999 and 2000 became ill in 59 outbreaks in 23 states that involved swimming pools and other recreational sources, such as hot springs and lakes. Four died and 25 were hospitalized. The CDC study did not include ocean-related disease outbreaks.