In 1933, Chicago hosted the World’s Fair, which resulted in an unintentional backflow disaster. The sewer systems in the city were undersized and the number of people attending the World’s Fair led to a contaminated water supply. Two of the main hotels used to house visitors had insufficient cross-connection protection, resulting in Ameobic Dysentery that infected nearly every occupant of the two hotels. It is likely that a minimum of 1,400 people were sick and 98 people died due to infections.
According to the U.S. Health Services report summary at the time, “An epidemic of amebic dysentery had its origin in Chicago during the summer and fall of 1933. It was the first recognized water-borne outbreak, and the only known extensive epidemic of this disease in a civilian population.”
It took investigators some time to determine where the issue stemmed from. As it turns out, the culprit was a cooling tank that was used to make ice cubes for the hotels. There was an electric motor pump that distributed water to a tank with a plug that connected to a sewer line.
The importance of backflow has been known for a long time. For many years, ASSE has protected the public with a sound, defensible certification program. To be eligible to take an ASSE backflow prevention certification exam, candidates must have documented practical experience, as well as attend a comprehensive 40 hour training course from an ASSE approved school. Once the course is completed, individuals must successfully pass a written and practical exam demonstrating knowledge of field test procedures. Certifications are valid for three years, at which time individuals must recertify to maintain their credential.
For more information on how to become certified, go to https://www.asse-plumbing.org/5000.
