Water Services National Training Group and National Federation of Group Water Schemes 7 th Annual Rural Water Services Conference 18 th September 2008

18/09/08 NFGWS Quality Assurance System Progress on implementation Jean Gibson Quality Assurance Officer National Federation of Group Water Schemes

18/09/08 NFGWS Objectives The Quality Assurance (QA) System was developed by the NFGWS as a means of ensuring that group schemes have the capacity to consistently provide a quality drinking water supply to consumers. The Quality Assurance (QA) System was developed by the NFGWS as a means of ensuring that group schemes have the capacity to consistently provide a quality drinking water supply to consumers. Security of water supply Security of water supply

18/09/08 NFGWS Why this focus? Treatment itself cannot guarantee water quality at the consumer’s tap. Treatment itself cannot guarantee water quality at the consumer’s tap. In addition, we require a strategy to maintain and improve raw water quality at the source and to protect treated water quality in the distribution network. In addition, we require a strategy to maintain and improve raw water quality at the source and to protect treated water quality in the distribution network.

18/09/08 NFGWS Elements of strategy Assessment of what might go wrong Assessment of what might go wrong Will be scheme specific Will be scheme specific Should involve committee and staff Should involve committee and staff Monitoring to determine if everything is ok Monitoring to determine if everything is ok Requires investment in necessary equipment Requires investment in necessary equipment Implementation of standard operating procedures (SOP’s) Implementation of standard operating procedures (SOP’s) Dedicated & trained personnel Dedicated & trained personnel Record keeping Record keeping Checklists Checklists Filing system Filing system

18/09/08 NFGWS Standard Operating Procedure Reservoirs

18/09/08 NFGWS Hazards Control OptionsCritical Limits (to measure the control options) Corrective action What to checkSigns that action is needed Event: INTRODUCTION OF CONTAMINATING MATERIAL INTO TANK OR RESERVOIR Possible contaminants: Bacteria, protozoan, chemicals, or other health-significant determinants depending on the contaminant that has entered the water. Access by humans, animals, birds or rainwater  ensure the storage is covered  keep cattle away using stock proof fencing  Keep grass and shrubs trimmed and to a minimum to prevent vermin.  install mesh, grills, vents, etc.  undertake regular tank inspection  Site inspection record for visual/ maintenance.  Check chlorine residual  Unexplained deterioration of water quality.  Taste and odour complaints.  Visual evidence of animal or bird ingress.  Residual not between mg/l  Consumer complaints  Erect new or repair fence.  Cover storage and lock lids.  Trim grass regularly  Clean clogged screens  Replace damaged screens, etc.  Carry out regular &/or documented inspections.  Rechlorinate: increase chlorine (see below*)

18/09/08 NFGWS Checklists

18/09/08 NFGWS HOLDING RESERVOIR CHECKLIST Month: _____________ Condition Protection SatisfactoryRequires Improvement Repairs/ Replacement Works Necessary Corrective Action To Be Taken? Give Details Clear of Debris/Plant Growth Pest & Vermin Proof Secure/Locks In Place Public/ Animal Access Denied  Fencing  Walls  Signs Structure Concrete Structure Presence of Algae/Scum Res. Covering Checked By:Date Verified By:Date Office Use:

18/09/08 NFGWS CHLORINE RESIDUAL CHECKLIST Week Commencing: ___/___/08 MONTUESWEDTHURSFRISATSUN DATE RESULT TOTAL FREE Mg/l SAMPLE POINT WEEKLY AVERAGE TOTAL: mg/lFREE: mg/l OPERATOR SIGNATURE:________________________________ DATE: ___/___/08 OFFICE USE Verified by:___________________________ Date:___/___/08 Notes

18/09/08 NFGWS Key to success of strategy Collation of data Collation of data Analysis of results Analysis of results Review by committee Review by committee Implementation of follow-up actions, where required Implementation of follow-up actions, where required

18/09/08 NFGWS Identifying potential hazards Committee knowledge essential Committee knowledge essential Consider each stage of water distribution from source to tap … and what might go wrong. Consider each stage of water distribution from source to tap … and what might go wrong. Agree to implement relevant control options (including regular monitoring) that will minimise risk. Agree to implement relevant control options (including regular monitoring) that will minimise risk. Consider how & when implementation will be achieved Consider how & when implementation will be achieved

18/09/08 NFGWS Know your Source Gather historical analysis Gather historical analysis Local Authority/EPA sampling Local Authority/EPA sampling Pre-DBO monitoring Pre-DBO monitoring Scheme’s own analysis Scheme’s own analysis Map hydrology Map hydrology Surface water Surface water Groundwater Groundwater EPA/GSI website EPA/GSI website Establish raw water baseline Establish raw water baseline Minimum standard to be achieved Minimum standard to be achieved Drivers for improvement Drivers for improvement Environmental/Water Framework Directive Environmental/Water Framework Directive Economic Economic

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18/09/08 NFGWS Implementing QA at source Kilmaley/Inagh, County Clare Kilmaley/Inagh, County Clare Tullyallen, County Louth Tullyallen, County Louth Corduff/Corracharra, County Monaghan Corduff/Corracharra, County Monaghan

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18/09/08 NFGWS

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18/09/08 NFGWS

18/09/08 NFGWS Water treatment A significant challenge for many schemes A significant challenge for many schemes Mainly disinfection only … but Mainly disinfection only … but Increasingly additional treatment in view of Crypto risk assessments Increasingly additional treatment in view of Crypto risk assessments A handful with sand filtration also A handful with sand filtration also Major area of responsibility Major area of responsibility

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18/09/08 NFGWS Reservoir Many schemes have storage reservoirs both for raw water & treated water Many schemes have storage reservoirs both for raw water & treated water In most DBO projects the Contractor is responsible for these In most DBO projects the Contractor is responsible for these Whether directly responsible or not, group schemes should ensure quality control is maintained Whether directly responsible or not, group schemes should ensure quality control is maintained

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18/09/08 NFGWS Distribution network The QA system addresses three distinct areas in the distribution network. 1. Mapping the network 2. Line maintenance to prevent recontamination 3. Water conservation

18/09/08 NFGWS Implementing QA on the Distribution Network Truagh GWS, County Monaghan Truagh GWS, County Monaghan Benbulben GWS, County Sligo Benbulben GWS, County Sligo Glaslough/Tyholland GWS, Co. Monaghan Glaslough/Tyholland GWS, Co. Monaghan

18/09/08 NFGWS Implementing QA at the consumer’s tap Kilmaley/Inagh GWS, Co. Clare Kilmaley/Inagh GWS, Co. Clare Tydavnet GWS, Co. Monaghan Tydavnet GWS, Co. Monaghan Magheracloone GWS, Co. Monaghan Magheracloone GWS, Co. Monaghan

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18/09/08 NFGWS

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18/09/08 NFGWS Where are we at? To date, 45 schemes have completed QA training across 11 counties. To date, 45 schemes have completed QA training across 11 counties. We encourage all committee members and staff to attend, but not always possible. We encourage all committee members and staff to attend, but not always possible. Time and venue of training Time and venue of training Evolving course Evolving course Follow-up Follow-up

18/09/08 NFGWS Benefits QA will provide effective security for your water supply QA will provide effective security for your water supply QA will help schemes meet requirements of Regulations QA will help schemes meet requirements of Regulations QA will assist schemes in becoming a licensed provider QA will assist schemes in becoming a licensed provider QA will address the issue of public confidence QA will address the issue of public confidence QA is a condition of subsidy QA is a condition of subsidy

Water Services National Training Group and National Federation of Group Water Schemes 7 th Annual Rural Water Services Conference 18 th September 2008