Progress in Water Safety Plans in the WHO European Region

March 17, 2009IWA Conf Istanbul 2 WHY … WHO Guidelines Guidelines as basis for national standards Best available scientific evidence & expert consensus Focus on health protection and promotion Microbial, chemical and radiological hazards All types of water supply Subject to “rolling revision” – next 2008

March 17, 2009IWA Conf Istanbul 3 WHY … 3 rd Revision of the Guidelines (2004) Continued important morbidity level Repeated outbreaks of water-related disease Long-established principles needed to be systematised Need for safety management “from source to tap” Increased information on parameters makes parametric control increasingly expensive and difficult

March 17, 2009IWA Conf Istanbul 4 Parametric deviation detected: Too late to do much good Consumer system Distribution system Water resources & sources Treatment Up to 24 hours later

March 17, 2009IWA Conf Istanbul 5 Need for more holistic approach

March 17, 2009IWA Conf Istanbul 6 FSDW: Health-based targets From national public health authority Quantitative public health benchmark Different types for different situations –Specified technology –Specified performance targets –Targets for water “quality” –Targets for desired health outcomes

March 17, 2009IWA Conf Istanbul 7 WSP1: System assessment Can the “system” deliver water meeting the health-based targets? Identify hazards and threats Which steps prevent/reduce contamination? Do their combined efforts lead to water safety ? Outcome defines system improvements

March 17, 2009IWA Conf Istanbul 8 Risk assessment risk management Risk avoidance : management of the resource - EUWFD Risk removal : operating procedures and actions remove risk throughout the production, distribution and delivery.  Water supply relies on an incremental risk reduction by a number of barriers

March 17, 2009IWA Conf Istanbul 9 Water supply is complex Water supply is a sum of parts Control measures are activities Most controls are not engineered –Standard Operating Procedures apply  More barriers = more confidence Water Treatment Works Water Treatment Works Storage Disinfection Booster pumping Disinfection Resour ce

March 17, 2009IWA Conf Istanbul 10 WSP 2: Operational monitoring Monitoring control measures ensure system consistently meets targets Monitoring at each step identified in system assessment to ensure controls are working Monitoring frequency appropriate to step  Reduces reliance on end-point testing

March 17, 2009IWA Conf Istanbul 11

March 17, 2009IWA Conf Istanbul 12 WSP 3: Management plans Documenting system assessment (including upgrading plans) and monitoring and describing management in normal and incident conditions including communication plans Procedures for routine management Procedures for emergencies and “incidents” Communication lines and info management

March 17, 2009IWA Conf Istanbul 13 FSDW Surveillance/Verification Systematic independent surveillance to verify that the Water Safety Plan is operating properly Different approaches –Direct investigation: end-point testing as final “check” –Audit of the entire WSP –To be used as long-term database

March 17, 2009IWA Conf Istanbul 14 WSPs are dynamic…

March 17, 2009IWA Conf Istanbul 15 HOW & WHEN Preparatory project meeting –WHO regional office for Europe 22 May 2006 Field visits using questionnaires & interviews at centralized water utilities and small scale water supply systems Summary meeting –WHO Headquarters 2007 Presentation to Art 12 Committee May 2007

March 17, 2009IWA Conf Istanbul 16 WHERE AustriaTulln LithuaniaKlaipedos, Neringos SpainSant Joan, Barcelona Castellar del Valles SwitzerlandLenzburg United Kingdom Wessex Water, Anglian Water Scottish Water Australia

March 17, 2009IWA Conf Istanbul 17 General recommendations Soundness and feasibility Benefits (health) Benefits (utility) Benefits (consumers) Costs Additional concerns

March 17, 2009IWA Conf Istanbul 18 SOUND AND FEASIBLE WSP complements current end-product testing requirements and continuously safeguards health. Feasibility assessment on location generally favourable. WSP-type approach needs to be in wider framework of surveillance and support. Characteristics of small water supply systems need to be recognized.

March 17, 2009IWA Conf Istanbul 19 Public health benefits Equitable societal benefits require that WSP-type approaches apply regardless of structure, management, size or origin. Greater confidence in management of “overlooked” supplies. Better understanding in operational aspects of supplying drinking water. (Better) cooperation between supplier, health and environment sector. RARM include evaluation of disruptions and ultimately increased reliability

March 17, 2009IWA Conf Istanbul 20 Benefits to suppliers Satisfied customers who trust their suppliers Often better understanding of their own system with documented and SOP Mutual support systems Regulatory harmony Much greater due diligence in rare cases where things do go wrong

March 17, 2009IWA Conf Istanbul 21 Utility cost benefits Reality test assessing robustness of system and quality of management system Targets resources towards critical issues Promotes reasonable basis for investments Effective tool in priority setting for capital and operational expenses Cost are self-regulatory Benefits outweigh the costs of the implementation of WSP Smaller utilities may face a higher burden Health impacts may remain below the detection level except for outbreaks

March 17, 2009IWA Conf Istanbul 22 Benefits to consumers Better drinking water Improved reliability of the quality of the water supplied Improved reliability of the continuity of the water supply, and in the pressure at tap Greater confidence in their supplies, and in their suppliers  SAFE AND TRUSTED DRINKING WATER AT TAP

March 17, 2009IWA Conf Istanbul 23 Project results 1.General recommendations 2.Legal issues 3.Supporting measures

March 17, 2009IWA Conf Istanbul 24 Project results 1.General recommendations 2.Legal issues 3.Supporting measures

March 17, 2009IWA Conf Istanbul 25 Guidance documents Guidance documents developed, also with assistance of professional associations. Training needed by national staff. Information and outreach needed o public at large to ensure buy-in during implementation. Standardized guidance through the WHO IWA Water Safety Plan Manual

March 17, 2009IWA Conf Istanbul 26 A picture is worth a thousand words…

March 17, 2009IWA Conf Istanbul 27 Preparation

March 17, 2009IWA Conf Istanbul 28 Risk assessment matrix Risk assessment risk management matrix (Lenzburg)

March 17, 2009IWA Conf Istanbul 29 Importance of senior management support

March 17, 2009IWA Conf Istanbul 30 Documentation

March 17, 2009IWA Conf Istanbul 31 Systems at risk from trespassers … or vice versa

March 17, 2009IWA Conf Istanbul 32 Prevention

March 17, 2009IWA Conf Istanbul 33 Verification

March 17, 2009IWA Conf Istanbul 34 Old and new

March 17, 2009IWA Conf Istanbul 35 Private water supplies Unknown origin Unknown level of protection But can be producing very important volumes

March 17, 2009IWA Conf Istanbul 36 Speeches are like steer horns - a point here - a point there - and a lot of bull in between

March 17, 2009IWA Conf Istanbul 37 Do we produce water that future generations can safely drink?