EPA has updated its Water Contaminant Information Tool (WCIT) and added a new contaminant profile. WCIT, which was created in 2005, is a secure, online database that provides support to the water sector in its emergency preparedness and response activities by offering information on contaminants of concern to the sector. The updated database implements a responsive design that improves mobile device accessibility. In addition, on July 1, a comprehensive contaminant profile for Pathogenic Leptospira, an emerging public health threat of interest to the water sector, was added to the WCIT database. “The profile was peer-reviewed by internal and external subject matter experts and includes general information on Pathogenic Leptospira, environmental fate and transport, possible drinking water and wastewater treatment options, helpful response considerations for utilities, and several other categories of valuable information,” according to the EPA. The addition of this profile expands the information offered in WCIT to a total of 113 comprehensive profiles. Access WCIT at EPA.

WaterISAC provides single-sign-on access to WCIT via the Contaminant Databases area of its portal, no separate registration with EPA is needed but a WaterISAC membership is required.