The 2002 River Season

With the 2002 river season upon us I would like to thank all the river guides for the fine job they did during the past season. I would also like to thank all of the guides I encountered on my trips down the river last season for their cooperation and help while doing my regular Public Health inspections
The illness reporting procedures that we started last season seems to have worked very well. I think that we had very good reporting of illnesses as they occurred. In total we had 38 cases reported from commercial trips and three from private trips. I expect for everyone, this was a welcome relief after the previous season’s outbreak. I will be following this program closely again this season. We would like to have any gastro-intestinal illnesses reported. This does not include the occasional stomach ache from over eating or the like. However, when in doubt, report it. The data we receive from these reports will help us track illness trends as well as recognize an outbreak early so that proper action may be taken to help reduce future illness on the river. I would again like to stress that illness or lack of illness on a trip is not reflected in your rating or evaluation as long as we receive proper illness reporting. This information is crucial to helping us help you make the river experience enjoyable and illness free.
Proper water treatment has again come up in discussions.

I want to stress that proper water treatment is essential to reducing the incidence of viral related illnesses which was most probably the cause for the 1994 and 2000 outbreaks. Proper water treatment must include filtering through a one micron or smaller filter followed by disinfection. You can use two drops per gallon of chlorine or another approved disinfectant such as iodine and let stand for thirty minutes before use. Disinfection must be used even with the uv type filters since uv is not yet an approved disinfectant at this time. You can reduce the odor and taste of chlorine by adding the chlorine to the container before filling. This helps mix it completely and helps airate the water as you fill the container. By holding the water for about twelve to eighteen hours before use, most of the chlorine will have dissipated. This is the same level of chlorine that most cities, including Flagstaff, use for their water, so it should not be a significant problem getting people to drink it. Now that the waterline to the boat beach at Phantom Ranch is completed, you should be able to reduce the need to filter water, especially for motor trips.
I hope to see many of you on the river this summer. Feel free to contact me if any of you have questions or comments. My office is in Flagstaff and my number is 928-226-0168.
Jim Nothnagel