NSF announces international symposium on HPC bacteria in drinking water

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Sept. 10, 2001 — NSF International offers an international symposium entitled, "HPC Bacteria in Drinking Water - Public Health Implications?"

The symposium is presented by The NSF/WHO Collaborating Centre for Drinking Water Safety and Treatment.

NSF International is the world leader in standards development, product certification and education services for public health and safety. The symposium will take place April 22-24, 2002, at the Forum Park Hotel in Geneva, Switzerland.

"HPC Bacteria in Drinking Water - Public Health Implications?" marks the first international symposium on heterotrophic plate count (HPC) bacteria in drinking water and its public-health implications. The event will feature technical papers and discussions from international experts on drinking-water microbiology, water treatment and public health. The World Health Organization (WHO) Expert Meeting, aimed at achieving scientifically based consensus regarding the appropriate interpretations of HPC measurements in drinking water, will take place after the symposium from April 25-26.

"The timing for this symposium is of global importance," said Stan Hazan, Executive Director, NSF Center for Public Health Education. "Organizations around the world are currently focusing on drinking-water safety. The Committee for European Normalization is developing standards for equipment and materials used in drinking-water applications. European Member States are also adopting new drinking-water directives and creating an approval system for materials in contact with drinking water."

The symposium consists of an introductory session, ten plenary technical sessions and a closing summary session, with ample opportunities for discussion. Symposium sponsors include Aqua Europa, the European Bottled Watercooler Association, the International Bottled Water Association and the Water Quality Association.

For more information about the symposium, log on to www.nsf.org/conference/hpc , call 734-827-6888 or fax 734-827-7187.

NSF International, a not-for-profit organization, is dedicated to improving public health, safety and protection of the environment. NSF is a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Drinking Water Safety and Treatment, and has developed drinking-water standards in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency that are used worldwide.

NSF offers a broad range of services in over 83 countries, including accredited food equipment certification; comprehensive food safety and quality systems auditing; HACCP-9000® registration and verification; certification for water distribution and treatment systems; certification for dietary supplements and nonfood compounds; management systems registration; and toxicology consulting. NSF also provides public-health education through its Center for Public Health Education.