Safe and Secure Water: Drinking Water Policy Updates and Water System Assessment Overview

Transcription

1 Safe and Secure Water: Drinking Water Policy Updates and Water System Assessment Overview Coastal Water Suppliers Association Conference May 25, 2013 Mike Zemanek, Steve Baumber Health Protection Branch, Ministry of Health Lynne Magee Vancouver Island Health Authority

2 Drinking Water Policy Updates Coastal Water Suppliers Association Conference May 25, 2013 Mike Zemanek Health Protection Branch, Ministry of Health

3 Outline Health Protection Branch overview Drinking Water Health Promotion Guidelines Tools to support water suppliers Training Water System Assessment

4 Health Protection Branch Identify and address emerging public health issues Goal to reduce or manage health risks Standards, objectives and guidelines Policy tools that promote healthy communities Training work with Environmental Operators Certification Program Consult with health authorities, Union of BC Municipalities, industry and the public

5 Health Protection Legislation Public Health Act Health Hazards, Sewerage Systems, Pools, Food Premises, Tattoo Parlours, Communicable Disease, etc... Drinking Water Protection Act Drinking Water Protection Regulation

6 Health Promotion Source Water How Pristine is It? Contamination can come from: Human activity Development Logging Industry Agriculture/Grazing Road building Recreation Animal activity Feces Dead/decaying Natural/weather events Flooding Erosion Landslide

7 Recent Activities in Regulation and Policy for Drinking Water Reg. amendment: non-potable water (completed) Surface Water Treatment Objectives (completed) Ground Water at Risk Guidance (updating) Ground Water Treatment Objectives (developing) Small Systems Guidebook (developing) Water Systems Assessment Tool (completed)

8 Regulatory Amendment: Non-potable Water Amendment DWPR s.6 - March 2013 Exemption from delivering potable water where it is not used for drinking water or food preparation Lower ingestion potential, lower health risk Addresses regulatory barriers for water conservation Facilitate low-cost alternatives where potable water is not required - toilets and urinals, irrigation Support and complement revisions to B.C. s Building Code.

9 Surface Water Treatment Objectives Sets minimum treatment expectations Virus Protozoa Bacteria Turbidity Multi-Barrier Approach Recognises individual water sources have individual needs Aligns with other provincial, national and international health standards

10 Guidance for Determining Groundwater at Risk of Pathogens (GARP) Drinking Water Protection Regulation: Disinfect ground water at risk of containing pathogens Risk Factors and other considerations: (1) Water quality results, (2) Source type and location, (3) Well construction details (4) Aquifer type and setting Guidance document provisional Draft posted on

11 Ground Water Treatment Objectives Draft for consultation is under development Following similar requirements as for surface water only if ground water is deemed at risk Looking for suppliers to review Any interest? Let us know.

12 Small Water System Guidebook Primer on subjects considered by operators Includes info on: Roles & responsibilities Basic legal framework Water sources and source protection Treatment objectives Basic components of a system and designs Governance and finance considerations Does not replace training or consulting with professionals Aiming for release in the summer

13 Water System Assessment Tool Simplified source to tap assessment for completion by operators in under 1 day. Facilitates communication with the DWO Trial (draft) version posted at

14 Water System Assessment: Overview Coastal Water Suppliers Association Conference May 25, 2013 Steve Baumber Ministry of Health, Health Protection Branch

15 Why assess your water system? Ensure the safety and security of your water supply Improve customer service Knowledge is power: understand your liabilities anticipate problems emergency response planning strategic investments

16 Who does the assessment? Voluntary Self-Assessment Water system owners Water system operators Inspection aid for Drinking Water Officers Cooperative use with the operator Help standardize inspections for challenging systems Ordered assessment under the Drinking Water Protection Act (DWPA) section 18

17 Hazard and Risk HAZARD (identify) something that has the potential to cause harm RISK (assess) the likelihood a hazard will occur and the extent or degree of the consequence of that harm

18 Hazard and Risk Example HAZARD (identify) Cow feces deposited upslope of an unprotected well RISK (assess) Likelihood: Might the feces get into water supply? and Consequence: Feces may carry E. coli or Cryptosporidium which can make someone very sick

19 Overview Drinking Water Source-to-Tap Screening Tool Water System Assessment Comprehensive Drinking Water Source-to-Tap Assessment Four Steps: Document general information and identify hazards 3 Forms Assess hazards and quantify risk Prioritize and group hazards according to risk Develop a plan Should take eight hours 3 outside, 5 inside

20 Water System Assessment Help Two guidance documents are available: User s Guide explains how to use the forms and offers useful tips User s Guide: Appendices provides guidance to answering questions in the hazard assessment form (Form 1), a list of some useful resources, and a glossary of terms

21 Water System Assessment Forms 3 forms in MS Excel or as printable PDFs Form 1: Hazard Assessment (Field Component) information on the water system from the water source to the tap Form 2: Risk Rating (Field and Office) numerically rating the potential hazards Form 3: Risk Grouping (Office) groups hazards to highlight the areas that need the most work Action Plan (Office) develop timelines and prioritize system improvements

22 Form 1: Hazard Assessment The form is organized to flow with a typical walk through a water system: Contact information and management structure Source area Intake Water system elements (storage, pumps, treatment, distribution) Water quality and quantity Water system operation Finances

23 Form 1: Hazard Assessment

24 Form 1: Hazard Assessment Color coded questions: Blue: surface water sources Brick red: well sources Green: filtration or disinfection treatment

25 Form 2: Risk Rating Risk Rating: each of the hazards identified on Form One are examined to determine severity

26 Form 2: Risk Rating Hazards identified in the Hazard Assessment form: are carried forward to the Risk Rating form:

27 Form 2: Risk Rating Determine likelihood:

28 Form 2: Risk Rating Determine consequence:

29 Form 2: Risk Rating Risk rating numeric indicator based on the matrix provided:

30 Form 2: Risk Rating The risk rating based on likelihood and consequence Hazards can be sorted based on highest risk Gives a narrow view of the issues

31 Form 3: Risk Grouping Risk Grouping: group risks into similar categories to: Gain perspective on the clusters of issues Identify the elements that require the most attention

32 Action Plan Priorities are not generated by the forms but by YOU Risk rating and risk grouping help identify potential problems with the system Form an Action Plan to: Identify which risks must be addressed immediately What work should be scheduled as funds and time allow What hazards need to be monitored but require no immediate action

33 Action Plan Include a summary of the water system Document priorities perhaps use a table like the one below Financial plan identify current cash flow and estimate anticipated costs to address priorities How will you raise the capital for larger-cost items?

34 Water System Assessment: In Practice Coastal Water Suppliers Association Conference May 25, 2013 Lynne Magee Vancouver Island Health Authority

35 Our Experience Tested the assessment on a small mobile home park Removed duplications and clarified the questions being asked Operator thought it was a valid exercise and appreciated the opportunity to look at his system closely with the DWO Operator was willing to make upgrades to the system to ensure water quality and safety for the users

36 Advantages to use Ideally in conjunction with DWO Build relationships Educational opportunity for both

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41 Thank you! Questions and Comments? Lynne Magee, BSc, CPHI(C) Regional Drinking Water Coordinator Vancouver Island Health Authority Steve Baumber, MSc, RPF Health Protection Professional Specialist Land and Water Use Ministry of Health, Health Protection Branch Mike Zemanek, MSc, P.Eng. Director, Healthy Community Environments Ministry of Health, Health Protection Branch