Landscape Architect Articles

Parasitic-Infected Wildlife Feces in the Jetting Fountains?06-23-08 | News

Parasitic-Infected Wildlife Feces in the Jetting Fountains?

The 30 jetting fountains outside the Cupertino Community Hall are dry now, following a new regulation regarding ?EUR??,,????'??interactive?EUR??,,????'?? fountains.

With warm weather on the way, Santa Clara County (Northern Calif., south bay area) has at least one of its communities (Cupertino) turning off the water to its interactive fountains?EUR??,,????'??+not because the state is officially in a drought, which it is, but because of a new county ordinance that requires ?EUR??,,????'??interactive fountains?EUR??,,????'?? have ultra violet filtration to combat cryptosporidium.

Cryptosporidium is a protozoan (single cell) pathogen spread as a cyst through the feces of wild life. This parasitic cyst is hardy and can survive outside a body for long periods. If ingested, it can cause cryptosporidiosis, an acute short-term infection that brings on diarrhea.

Chlorine doesn?EUR??,,????'???t effectively handle the pathogen, but a UV system disables cryptosporidium reproduction. (Note: It is asserted that UV air filtration kills bacteria, germs, mold and other biological contaminants.)

Cupertino Mayor Dolly Sandoval said that while there are no reports city fountains are causing cases of cryptosporidiosis, the city is complying with the ordinance. The fountains in front of the Cupertino Community Hall are no longer spouting water for the kids to enjoy.

There were reports of cryptosporidiosis linked to a fountain in downtown San Jose in 2006, but those were the first cases reported in the county in 20 years.

The Cupertino Council expects to move forward to approve expenditure for a UV system, which it estimates will cost $400,000. Yikes!