You are the Water Manager for a city that has just had an outbreak of an infectious, water-born disease.

Imagine that you have to make a presentation to a concerned group of citizens about what caused this outbreak. A questioner wants to know, "What is the most likely culprit for this outbreak?"

How would you answer this question?

A) "The most likely cause is probably some chemical pollution."

B) "I'm 100% sure that the cause was most likely parasitic protozoa."

C) "The most likely cause, statistically speaking, is probably bacteria."

D) "I'm afraid the most likely cause of the outbreak is probably unknown."

D) "The most likely cause, statistically speaking is probably bacteria"

Explanation:

Waterborne diseases are conditions caused by pathogenic micro-organisms that are transmitted in water. Disease can be spread while bathing, washing, drinking water, or by eating food exposed to contaminated water.

As a Water Manager for a city that just had an outbreak of an infectious, water borne disease;

1) I must not answer the question that the outbreak is probably caused by some chemical pollution because am in charge of the water and if there is any outbreak as a result of chemical pollution, that means I was unable to discharge my duty and the community will not trust again.

2) Waterborne disease is caused by recreational or drinking water contaminated by disease-causing microbes or pathogens, so not all water borne diseases are caused by parasitic protozoa. This means I cannot give them 100% assurance.

3) However, "statistically speaking" is a somewhat clichéd phrase that tends to divert the responsibility for opinions onto the statistical data that supposedly underlays them. They will understand that bacteria has caused most water borne disease according to statistics. And this will make them cautious of how to deal with what they consume, though contaminated foods can cause water borne disease

4) I must not tell them that the cause of the outbreak is unknown because they will be looking up to me for it.