Abstract: Most of us drink, bath, cook and clean with groundwater every day. Despite groundwater’s prevalence in our daily lives, there is still much that needs to be understood involving the connection of groundwater and our health. The Iowa Groundwater and Public Health Symposium provided expert, informed presentations and networking opportunities for drinking water professionals, public health professionals, researchers, policy makers, agencies, and communities. This cooperative IGWA-CHEEC symposium highlighted recent research and surveillance projects on viruses, arsenic and nitrate contamination combined with cutting edge groundwater characterization. Potential health impacts of these common drinking water contaminants were discussed, and a look at possible future groundwater contaminant issues was presented.

Symposium co-sponsors:

• Iowa Groundwater Association
• CHEEC

"Ingestion of Nitrate and Nitrite from Drinking Water and Dietary Sources and Risk of Cancer" (Audio, Power Point Presentation, PDF text) Mary Ward, Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD

"Occurrence of Human Enteric Viruses in an Alluvial Aquifer: Induced Filtration, Leaky Sewers, or Both" (Audio, Power Point Presentation, PDF text) Adam Davison and William Simpkins, Department of Atmospheric and Geological Sciences, Iowa State University

"Surveillance for Unregulated Contaminants in Iowa: Viruses, Pharmaceutical Compounds, and Glyphosate" (Audio, Power Point Presentation, PDF text) Chad Fields and Robert Libra, Iowa Geological & Water Survey, Iowa Deaprtment of Natural Resources

"Effects of Precipitation Events on Virus Presence in Groundwater" (Audio, Power Point Presentation, PDF text) Madeline Gotkowitz, Wisconsin Geological Survey, Madison, WI

"Viruses in Minnesota Groundwater Study" Mindy Erickson, U.S.Geological Survey, Minnesota Water Science Center, Mounds View, MN
This talk provided an overview of the study design for a three-year collaborative study of evaluating public health risks due to virus contamination of publicly-supplied drinking water in Minnesota. 

"Arsenic in Minnesota Groundwater: Update on our State-of-Understanding and Next Steps" Mindy Erickson, U.S.Geological Survey, Minnesota Water Science Center, Mounds View, MN
Arsenic in groundwater continues to be a widespread, naturally-occurring contaminant of concern to Minnesota’s private well owners, well drillers, public water systems, and public health officials. This presentation summarized the state of understanding and new collaborative studies between the U.S. Geological Survey, Minnesota Department of Health, and the University of Minnesota, which will provide a new opportunity for developing effective arsenic guidance and predictive models. 

"A Pilot Study of Arsenic in Groundwater for Cerro Gordo County: Links between Water, Geology, and Geochemistry – Part 1" (Audio, Power Point Presentation, PDF text) Sophia Walsh, Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health

"A Pilot Study of Arsenic in Groundwater for Cerro Gordo County: Links between Water, Geology, and Geochemistry – Part 2" (Audio, Power Point Presentation, PDF text) Douglas Schnoebelen, Institute for Hydraulic Research, University of Iowa

"Contaminants of Emerging Concern: New Environmental Challenges" (Audio, Power Point Presentation, PDF text) Dana Kolpin, U.S. Geological Survey

"Groundwater Contaminants: An Overview of Health Concerns" (Audio, Power Point Presentation, PDF text) Peter Weyer, Center for Health Effects of Environmental Contamination, University of Iowa