According to the World Health Organization, "During the revision of the World Health Organization (WHO) Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality (GDWQ) leading to the 3rd edition, the value of the Water Safety Plan (WSP) approach has repeatedly been highlighted ... in a series of expert review meetings in Berlin (2000), Adelaide (2001) and Loughborough (2001)."[2]
Water safety plans are considered by the WHO as the most effective means of maintaining a safe supply of drinking water to the public.[3] Their use should ensure that water is safe for all forms of human consumption and that it meets regulatory water standards relating to human health. ("Consumption" includes not only drinking per se, but also other forms of ordinary contact, such as bathing, dishwashing, and inhaling aerosolised water droplets). Comprehensive risk assessment and risk management form the backbone of these plans, which aim to steer management of drinking water-related health risks away from end-of-pipe monitoring and response.
The principles and concepts of other risk management paradigms are extensively drawn upon in WSP design, including the multi-barrier approach and HACCP[1].
In order to produce a plan, a thorough assessment of the water supply process from water source to the consumer's tap must be carried out by the water provider. Hazards and risks should be identified, and appropriate steps towards minimizing these risks are then investigated.
There are three key components to any Water Safety Plan (WSP):[4]
a system assessment, which determines if the drinking water supply chain as a whole is capable of supplying water of sufficiently high a standard to meet regulatory targets;
operational monitoring, in order to identify control measures in the drinking water system; and
management plans, which document the system assessment, describe actions taken during various operational conditions and define monitoring and communication plans.
The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) of England and Wales strongly supports the WHO's WSP initiative and offers guidance and support to water suppliers on the implementation of these plans.[5]
A new British Standard (2020) gives recommendations and guidance on the development of a Water Safety Plan (WSP). The standard is intended to be used as a code of practice to demonstrate current good practice and compliance. BS 8680:2020 Water quality. Water safety plans. Code of practice[7]
Small supplies are associated with waterborne disease outbreaks more than larger water supply systems.[9] Small supplies are typically more prone to collapse and spoilage than massive water supply systems and often face more administrative, financial or resource challenges. Looking to invest in small supplies of water will minimize outbreaks of waterborne disease and overall costs in terms of preventing disease, death, and associated costs of healthcare.
