LBE - the unseen threat against our water

But what exactly is it?

By Tom Davey

LBE is not a bacterium like the lethal E. coli. 0157:H7,which has killed six and sickened scores of people in other places besides Walkerton, nor is it a deadly parasite such as Cryptosporidium, which has killed hundreds of people in recent years around the world. LBE has not yet even gained the status of an acronym, while conversely, BSE is now irrevocably linked to mad cow disease, even by children.

Operations Challenges, under stringent competition rules, highlight the often forgotten role of plant operators in maintaining public health.

But in my opinion, the Low Bid Ethos(LBE), can be quite deadly to the development, design and construction of all aspects of environmental science and engineering - and the public health. This editorial is notabout Walkerton but that unfortunate town has highlighted the enormous human and financial costs involved when the safety of drinking water systems is compromised. If, as Clemenceau said, war is too important to be left to the generals,then treatment systems are too important to be left to the accountants.

Many years ago I conceived the term Low Bid Etho after I saw consulting engineers, analytical laboratories and equipment manufacturers repeatedly lose out to a low-price mindset. Too often, price seemed to dominate decision-making. There are umpteen stories of consultants whose innovative designs and processes might have dramatically improved water quality while saving energy. Worthwhile proposals, all too often, become victims of a low-price mindset. Equipment suppliers too, have many unfortunate tales to relate, but analytical laboratories - a very high-tech business with acute responsibilities for human health - were at the very bottom of the food chain when faced with the low bid ethos.

Walkerton demonstrated, as never before, how reliable analytical data is vital in protecting public health. Laboratory equipment is not only extremely expensive, it requires a highly educated workforce with modern facilities for proper record keeping and the all important custodial chain of command. I have heard repeatedly that many fine CAEAL* accredited laboratories have lost out on bids where the price differentials were more in keeping with the price of toys for children, rather than the science of ensuring the safety of childrens' health.

Now many complaints of low bidding could well be from disgruntled losers of quite fair contract competitions. And yes, many factors other than price are involved in decision-making. But I have heard so many stories from across Canada, which have convinced me that the low bidmindset, especially in some municipalities, is a very definite syndrome.

Surprisingly, the low-bid mentality is not as prevalent in the profit-driven private industry. People in charge of manufacturing facilities want filters, valves, instrumentation and other environmental equipment that is well designed and reliable. Many private sector companies know that equipment failure is both disruptive and costly to any manufacturing process and that quality designs, service and reputation are actually economical in the long run.

The provision of abundant safe and reliable drinking water requires a multi-disciplinary combination of dedicated scientists, engineers, chemists, operators, contractors and suppliers. The low bid ethosis the most inappropriate way that I know of to ensure the reliability and safety of our water and wastewater systems. Walkerton was the first wake-up call of the new millennium. We must ensure that it is the onlysuch tragedy of this century.

*Canadian Association for Environmental Analytical Laboratories

This article has been abridged.

Many of Tom Davey's editorials were compiled into a book For Whom The Polls Tell. Readers who purchase a one-year subscription of Environmental Science & Engineering for $46.15 (includes GST) or $45 US, can get a free copy of this book. Two-year subscriptions are: $74.90 Cdn. or $70 US. We regret we can only accept orders from Canada and the United States.