Past studies suggest that source water quality may be an important predictor of the risk of endemic waterborne infection. However, the relationship between endemic infections and the risk of illness is unclear. A primary goal of the study was to estimate endemic levels of diarrhea and gastrointestinal diseases. The primary objective of the study was to estimate the level of infectious gastrointestinal disease attributable to drinking water. A secondary objective was to determine if drinking-water-attributable endemic levels of gastrointestinal diseases are elevated in a community that uses unfiltered water from a well-protected surface water source. Originally published by AwwaRF for its subscribers in 2004. This publication can also be purchased and downloaded via Pay Per View on Water Intelligence Online - click on the Pay Per View icon below