The Walkerton disaster and family physicians.

From the perspective of a family physician and Medical Officer of Health involved in the Walkerton, Ont, water-borne disaster, I know there are lessons to be learned and issues to be understood that will aid physicians in their daily practice of family medicine. I also hope that this editorial will help readers get a better understanding of public health and our changing environment (both political and biological). Sources of drinking water can no longer be trusted to be uncontaminated. Contamination of municipal drinking water systems can be disastrous. We are changing our environment (and not for the better). New and dangerous water-borne pathogens are emerging. Worldwide, public health safeguards and surveillance are in decline, and governments seem less interested in the health and safety of their citizens. Family physicians need to be aware of community health issues (yes, yet another responsibility) and continue to work closely with public health authorities.