Amtrak 2009 Annual Report Download - page 21

2009 Environmental Health & Safety Report
19
Public Health
EPA Drinking Water
By agreement with the U.S. EPA, Amtrak’ s Public Health group conducts a drinking water
sampling program. Each of the four Public Health Managers draws potable water samples
from at least 20 passenger cars and one hydrant each month. These samples are tested at
EPA-certified laboratories, and results are based on the following three levels:
Level 1—HPC: Heterotrophic plate counts of 5,000 colony-forming units per milliliter
(cfu/ml) or above constituting Amtrak’ s internally designated action level.
As indicated in the EPA’ s National Drinking Water Highlights booklet (May 2001), “HPC has no health
effects, it is an analytic method used to measure the variety of bacteria that are common in water. The lower
the concentration of bacteria in drinking water, the better maintained the water system. HPC measures a
range of bacteria that are naturally present in the environment.”
Level 2—TCC: Presence of coliform bacteria (absent fecal coliform).
Level 3—(FC) Presence of fecal coliform or presence of coliform bacteria on a resample.
FY ‘09 Level 1 (HPC) Level 2 (TCC) Level 3 (FC)
4Q 81/265 (31%) 4/265 (2%) 4
3Q 56/268 (21%) 6/268 (2%) 0
2Q 35/257 (14%) 2/257 (1%) 0
1Q 44/261 (17%) 5/261 (2%) 0
TOTAL 216/1051 (21%) 17/1051 (2%) 4
On Aug. 11, 2009, in Sunnyside Yard, four samples indicated positive findings for fecal
coliform—in one potable water hose and in three passenger cars. Upon notification, the
water hydrant and the watering systems in all three passenger cars were immediately taken
out of service. Additionally, the passenger cars were removed from service at end-point,
water systems drained and flushed, retested and not returned to service until satisfactory
laboratory tests were obtained.
In addition to the passenger cars, the water hydrant, hose, and attachments were cleaned
and sanitized, and the hydrant remained out of service until a satisfactory water test was
obtained. As an additional follow-up, several other hoses and hydrants on the same track
and adjacent tracks were tested and found to be satisfactory. Upon notification, EPA
expressed satisfaction with the prompt and direct action taken by Amtrak Public Health.
Corporate Sanitation Task Force Evaluations
Corporate Sanitation Task Force (STF) facility evaluations are performed at one major
facility per quarter. In FY ‘09, there were four STF evaluations conducted in Chicago (re-
inspection); Washington, DC; Miami; and Los Angeles. A detailed report was issued for
each evaluation and written responses were received indicating implemented procedures to
improve ongoing self-monitoring and to assure corrective actions were provided.