Water Services National Training Group and National Federation of Group Water Schemes 7 th Annual Rural Water Services Conference 18 th September 2008
Drinking Water Incident Response Management and Planning Peter OReilly Senior Engineer Fingal County Council
Incident/Emergency planning Why prepare ? Prevention - Minimise the risk Emergencies – examples Response - expectations Training programme - WSNTG 2006 Drinking Water Incident Management
Why Prepare? Public Health - implications of service failure Maintaining customer confidence in water supply Regulatory requirements
Not so long ago
Wash day
Current Expectations Quantity 148 lhd Quality EU DWD DW Regs 2007 Continuity uninterrupted Cost !!?
But…..Things Go Wrong ! Prevention is better than cure! Reduce risk
Minimise risk Source / catchment Treatment Distribution system Customer side
Source
Storage/Service Reservoir
Emergencies Are sudden Stretch resources Break continuity/confidence in service Need different levels of response as they vary in size and complexity Can involve a large number of stakeholders
Emergencies Quality Contamination Taste and Odour Quantity Bursts Leaks Drought
Leixlip WTP
Burst
Repair
Drought
Drought ?
Knocksedan
Emergencies- what customers expect What is the problem? Will I be affected? How long will it last? What must I do? What will be done to minimise the disruption? When will things return to normal?
Staff Experienced Competent Well trained – WSNTG courses Ready and available to respond Resources
Emergency Response Centre
Communication CLARITY
WSNTG Training Drinking Water Incident Management (DWIM)
Background Increase in number of Incidents Greater variation in Incidents Increase in Customer Expectations Need for Incident Management
Scope All Incidents: Contamination Interruption All aspects of the drinking water system: Sources Treatment Distribution System to the consumer's draw off point. Water Suppliers" Water Services Authorities Group Water Scheme sector.
Change in the Water Sector in Ireland Legislation Drinking Water Regulations (SI 278 of 2007) Water Services Act 2007 Supervisory Role of the EPA/WSA Proactive role High profile incidents Media focus on drinking water quality Now front page news
Framework for Security of Water Supply Preventative Measures Water Safety Plans Scheme Level Source to Tap Reactive Measures Incident Management Water Services Authority Level
Role of the EPA/WSA Supervisory role for the EPA for public water supplies Supervisory role for the WSA for group water schemes
Role of the HSE WSA to consult with HSE in determining if a drinking water supply constitutes a potential danger to human health (Regulation 9) and if so The actions by the WSA to restrict supply and inform consumers are subject to agreement with the HSE, The issue of a direction under Regulation 9(2) is subject to agreement with the HSE Medical Officer of Health: previously a local authority appointment (now HSE, reporting to the Assistant Director for Health Protection). Generally the MoHs decision to implement a boil notice, if required Current liaison arrangements: Water Quality Liaison groups / Incident Response Teams (IRT)
Terminology Drinking Water Incident Management (DWIM): To describe the range of procedures and processes deployed to manage a Drinking Water Incident Drinking Water Incident Response Plan (DWIRP): A plan prepared by a water services authority to document the procedures, processes and information to support the management of a Drinking Water Incident.
Project Deliverables 1. Template 2. Guidance Document3. Research CD
Conclusions Emergencies happen Be prepared Have a plan Drinking Water Incident Management (DWIM)
Water Services National Training Group and National Federation of Group Water Schemes 7 th Annual Rural Water Services Conference 18 th September 2008