THE MAJOR STEPS OF A WATER SAFETY PLAN

Transcription

1 THE MAJOR STEPS OF A WATER SAFETY PLAN Brian Hubbard Health Scientist US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) The findings and conclusions in this presentation have not been formally disseminated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and should not be construed to represent any agency determination or policy. (State, who are you? What is your unique perspective? [for example: engineering, health, chemistry, or biology]) What is a water safety plan? -A water safety plan is a methodology to improve the operations and management of a water supply system. The goal proposed by the World Health Organization is to improve the management and operations of the existing water supply systems and if necessary to make capital improvements in order to comply with health-based standards. The WSP methodology presents a paradigm change in that the water utility companies now focus on the entire chain of the water supply system, from the water source for example, aquifer or surface water to the point of household use. Traditionally, the water utility companies have only focused on the system from the point of extraction to the water meter. Likewise, another change in the paradigm is that the WSP process advocates for more operational monitoring in addition to monitoring of treated water quality. The methodology recommends an intense effort to identify and understand how hazards affect the system, the development of control measures to mitigate these hazards, and the implementation of a operational monitoring system to verify the functionality of control measures throughout the entire water supply chain. 1

2 The WSP Manual: Phase 1 - Preparation Module 1: Assemble the WSP team = Sustainability Spanish Town Team Composition PAHO Ministry of Health & Env. (Nat l & Parish level) Pesticides Control Authority NWC NEPA National Irrigation Commission Water Resources Authority A WSP is a methodology that consists of 5 phases and 11 modules. The first module recommends the formation of a water safety plan team. It requires collaboration from a variety of professionals: water supply system operators, lab personnel-chemists and microbiologists, engineers, environmental health scientists, health professionals, public relations-media and regulatory agency personnel. (Ask the participants who they are? [For example: are they engineers, chemists, biologists, etc.]) In many of the communities where the CDC works the Water Safety Plan team includes community members because it is the community that has responsibility for managing their own water supply; or, community members have responsibility for the transport, storage, and disinfection of their own water supply. One of the key activities during phase 1, Module 1 of the water safety plan is to clearly define the roles and responsibilities of each member on the team. Without a clear understanding of their tasks team members often times lose interest and the sustainability of the entire water safety plan is threatened. 2

3 The WSP Manual: Phase 2 Phase 2: System Evaluation Module 2: Describe the water supply system Module 3: Identify hazards Module 4: Assess control measures & risk Module 5: Develop improvement plans Phase 2 of the Water Safety Plan is the system evaluation In this phase the system has to be described in detail, which will help facilitators identify and describe how hazards and hazardous events affect the functionality of the water supply system. A system description that is too general will not be useful for the process. 3

4 Module 2: Describe the System PROVIDE DESCRIPTION, SCHEMATICS, ETC. (sources, treatment works, distribution network) Once the water safety plan team is formed the first task is to describe the water supply system In the experiences of the CDC in Latin America, facilitators tried to collect data that not only described the water supply system, but also the sanitation system; and, since data that describes water quality are oftentimes scarce or incomplete, epidemiological surveillance data were also collected to understand how water borne diseases associated with water, sanitation and hygiene were affecting the community. The following are some examples of the data that were collected in Aguas Verdes, Peru and Huaquillas, Ecuador The Facilitators: Used GIS maps that showed the layout of the water distribution system Used AutoCad maps from the municipalities to define the limits of the communities served by the water supply systems. Obtained reports on the Zarumilla watershed that contained descriptions of the agricultural practices Requested databases with epidemiological surveillance data, and Searched for data to describe the coverage of the water supply and sanitation systems. 4

5 Module 2: Describe the System LIST WATER QUALITY STANDARDS Final Water/Distribution ph Turbidity Iron Aluminum Color Chlorine Residual Total/Faecal Coliforms <5 NTU <0.5 mg/l <0.2 mg/l 15 TCU >0.2 mg/l None Another important task is to collect the available surveillance data on water quality. Oftentimes there are several agencies that have responsibility for collecting water quality data and it is rare when this data is aggregated, analyzed collectively, and action taken to address operational deficiencies. An activity of the water safety plan team could be the analysis and organization of all existing data that describe water quality (Give example from a local experience) 5

6 Module 2: Describe the System ASSESS EXISTING WATER QUALITY Color in Final & Distributed Water 75 WTP Lot 8 Lot Color (Hazens) Dec-06 Jan-07 Feb-07 Mar-07 Apr-07 May-07 Jun-07 Jul-07 Aug-07 Sep-07 Oct-07 Nov-07 Dec-07 Date Here we have an example from Spanish Town, Jamaica. The water safety plan facilitators collected data and during conversations with the water service provider they realized that no one had ever analyzed the data. Therefore, it was apparent that no one was using the data in an efficient manner to inform system operators about the water quality. It is recommendable to use collected data for decision-making. Why collect the information if an analysis plan does not exist, or there is no intention to make decisions based on the analyzed information? 6

7 Module 2: Describe the System DESCRIBE POINT-OF-USE PRACTICES (where appropriate) To ensure the safety of drinking water, go beyond the tap & consider point-of-use practices. Storage Treatment Handling In many communities in Latin America and the Caribbean, water supply systems do not provide a continuous supply of water. Therefore households must collect, and in some cases transport, handle, and store their water in way to protect the quality of their drinking water. Therefore the traditional practice of assuring drinking water quality only to the point of the water meter is considered outdated and the focus of the water utility company now includes the management of household drinking water. Given that the household handling of drinking water is not a traditional responsibility of the water service provider, it is recommended to include new partners to work at the household level. 7

8 Module 2: Describe the System (Linden, Guyana) Positive total coliform detections Positive E. Coli detections HOUSEHOLD TAP STORAGE TANK DRINKING CONTAINER 30/47 (64%) 19/22 (86%) 66/73 (90%) 11/47 (23%) 8/22 (36%) 31/73 (42%) Why is it necessary to monitor the household water use? Here we have an example of a problem that can occur at the household level. In Linden, Guyana the water supply system operates intermittently and the community cannot count on a continuous supply of water. Therefore, the residents have to store their drinking water. To better understand the contaminants that can affect water quality at the household level a household survey was conducted that collected data on the consumers perception of water quality, the handling and storage of drinking water, and the use of alternative water sources. The surveyors also collected water samples from household taps, household storage tanks, and household drinking water containers. The water samples were sent to the laboratory for microbiological analysis. These are the results. (Ask the participants if they would like to explain what is happening to the quality of drinking water that was analyzed in Linden Guyana) These findings demonstrate that water quality degrades as water is being inadequately stored and handled at the household level. Given that the problems associated with continuity will not be resolved in the near future, the water safety plan team has started to develop a support program to train residents on disinfection, and the proper handling, maintenance and storage of their drinking water. (Explain and define the adequacy of supply indicators [quantity, quality, coverage, continuity, and cost] and the importance of these concepts for a water safety plan.) 8

9 Module 3: Identify Hazards HAZARD Physical, biological or chemical agents that can cause harm to public health. HAZARDOUS EVENT An event that introduces hazards to, or fails to remove them from, the water supply (i.e. source of hazard). Examples: Industrial effluent discharge to surface water (chemical) Leaking septic tanks contaminating groundwater (microbial) Disinfection byproducts in treated water (chemical) Termite mounds built upon the water distribution system pipes (chemical, microbial, physical) Module 3 of the water safety plan relies on all of the information collected during the system description. Upon describing the system one has to determine what are the points in the water supply chain where hazards (physical, biological and chemical agents) can enter the system and what are the hazardous events that allow the contamination to occur. Here we have some common examples of hazards and hazardous events (Ask the participants to share examples from their specific systems) 9

10 Module 3: Identify Hazards IDENTIFY HAZARDS/HAZARDOUS EVENTS Hazardous Event (Source of Hazard) Associated Hazard Poorly trained operators Inadequate water treatment (chemical, physical & microbial concerns) The findings or data from the system description ultimately become the inputs for the Module three. If the system description is too general then there will be a lack of specificity when trying to describe hazards and hazardous events. (Share a local example of a hard and hazardous event) Another example from Aguas Verdes, Peru was a situation where the sanitation pipes collapsed in a very poor zone with a large number of squatter households. In this settlement there were a large number of clandestine connections to the water supply system and during low pressure events sewage was able to enter into the water supply system. In your opinion what is the hazard, and what was the hazardous event? Perhaps the hazardous event was the decision of the mayor to allow the illegal construction of households on top of the water and sewerage infrastructure, which prevented timely repairs. 10

11 Module 4: Assess Control Measures & Risk CONTROL MEASURES Activities, processes & policies applied to reduce or mitigate risk. Examples: Minimum offset distances between latrines and water bodies Fencing around a wellhead All water treatment processes One way (check valves) to prevent cross contamination After identifying the hazardous events that affect the system, module 4 recommends the development and validation of control measures (control measures are activities, processes, and policies applied to reduce or mitigate the hazards). Some examples of control measures are: Minimum offset distances between latrines and water bodies Fencing around the wellhead All water treatment processes One way (check valves) to prevent cross contamination 11

12 Module 4: Assess Control Measures & Risk IDENTIFY AND ASSESS EXISTING CONTROL MEASURES Hazardous Event (Source of Hazard) Associated Hazard Existing Control Measures Limitations & Effectiveness of CMs Poorly trained operators Inadequate water treatment (chemical, physical & microbial concerns) Operator training program (lead by plant supervisors) Supervisors not adequately trained; infrequent training and high operator turnover In some systems the control measures do not exist and the water safety plan team will need to develop and implement new control measures. In other systems the control measures already exist however they are not effective. A very important task in module 4 is to evaluate the limitations and the effectiveness of the control measure and to adjust the measure as necessary. In our example from Jamaica, the facilitators determined that the control measures were not effective because the supervisors were not adequately trained, the trainings were infrequent and there was problem with staff turnover. 12

13 Module 4: Assess Control Measures & Risk ASSESS RISK (qualitative & semi-quantitative methods for assessing risk) For each hazard, assess risk by considering: 1) The likelihood that the hazard will occur (e.g. certain, possible, rare) 2) The severity of consequences should the hazard occur (e.g. insignificant, major, catastrophic) 3) The feasibility of quickly and effectively reducing the risks associated with the hazard. In module 4 one has to also consider the risk classification when they are evaluating the hazards, hazardous events and the level of effectiveness of the control measures. The level of risk should motivate the treatment plant operators and supervisors to take action. Therefore, a water safety plan team can use the following criteria to evaluate the risk level. The likelihood that the hazard will occur (e.g. certain, possible, rare) The severity of consequences should the hazard occur (insignificant, major, catastrophic) The feasibility of quickly and effectively reducing the risks associated with the hazard 13

14 Module 4: Assess Control Measures & Risk ASSESS RISK (here by qualitative method) Hazardous Event (Source of Hazard) Associated Hazard Existing Control Measures Limitations & Effectiveness of CMs Risk Poorly trained operators Inadequate water treatment (chemical, physical & microbial concerns) Operator training program (lead by plant supervisors) Supervisors not adequately trained; infrequent training and high operator turnover High Lets continue with our example from Jamaica We have determined that the hazard in this case is the inadequate disinfection of drinking water; the hazardous event is that the operators have not received adequate training; we know that the control measure already existed but was not functioning effectively because the supervisors did not have adequate training to train the plant operators, the trainings for operators were infrequent, and staff turnover had resulted in personnel without the capacity to do the job. Using the classification criteria we determined the risk is high, because the lack of disinfection could immediately impact the health of consumers. 14

15 Module 5: Develop Improvement Plans DEFINE CORRECTIVE ACTIONS Hazardous Event (Source of Hazard) Corrective Actions Responsible Agency Target Timeline Poorly trained operators Train the trainer: January External expert to lead a "train the trainer" 2009; 1st operator training program for plant supervisors; supervisors Water provider March 2009; 1st to perform operator training annually; certification exam March create an operator certification program 2009 All of the collected information from the modules 2, 3, and 4 feeds into module 5 which consists of defining corrective actions; or, it guides facilitators to develop, execute and maintain an improvement plan. In our example from Jamaica we developed corrective actions, which were to contract an external expert to conduct training of trainer sessions for supervisors, to assign an agency to take responsibility for the training and to develop target timelines for implementing the corrective actions. 15

16 Group Activity MODULES 3-5 (Distribute the instructions for the group activity) 16

17 The WSP Manual: Phase 3 Phase 3: Operational Monitoring Module 6: Define control measure monitoring Module 7: Define verification monitoring The third phase of a water safety plan includes modules 6 (Define control measure monitoring) and module 7 (Define verification monitoring) 17

18 Module 6: Define Control Measure Monitoring IDENTIFY & MONITOR CRITICAL CONTROL MEASURES Critical Control Measure Parameter Acceptable Range Where? When? By Whom? Corrective Action for Non-compliance Disinfection Chlorine residual mg/l Final water 4x per shift Operators Adjusting chlorine dose; check turbidity Intake canal buffer zone (no settlements within 30') # of new informal settlements 0 Along intake canal Monthly NIC Contact Parish Council & Squatter Management Unit to issue stop notice Module 6 is stage in the water safety plan when the team makes decisions about the operational monitoring system. The water safety plan team will need to make decisions that will describe the implementation of operational monitoring activities, such as: What is going to be monitored How will it be monitored The moment and the frequency of monitoring Where it will be monitored Who will conduct the monitoring Who will receive the results of the monitoring system Among other questions Some of the challenges in this stage of the process are: The cost increases related to additional monitoring The resistance of staff to adopt new practices The lack of expertise to analyze and organize the collected data 18

19 Module 7: Define Verification Monitoring MONITOR TREATED & DELIVERED WATER (for compliance with health-based standards) Distribution System Monitoring Parameter Acceptable Range When? Where? Sampled by Whom? Tested by Whom? To whom (externally) are results shared? How often? ph Weekly Points 1-20 Operators Central lab Central Board of Health; monthly Turbidity <5 NTU Weekly Points 1-20 Operators Central lab Central Board of Health; monthly Iron <0.5 mg/l Weekly Points 1-20 Operators Central lab Central Board of Health; monthly Aluminum <0.2 mg/l Weekly Points 1-20 Operators Central lab Central Board of Health; monthly Color 15 TCU Weekly Points 1-20 Operators Central lab Central Board of Health; monthly Chlorine >0.2 mg/l Weekly Points 1-20 Operators Operators Central Board of Health; monthly Coliforms None Weekly Points 1-20 Operators Central lab Central Board of Health; monthly Verification of the effectiveness (Compliance monitoring) of the water safety plan includes three main activities: 1) Compliance monitoring: Is the drinking water that is delivered to consumers safe? 2) Internal and external auditing of operational activities, and 3) Consumer satisfaction. In some countries the infrastructure is setup so that external monitoring is the responsibility of a regulatory agency which works collaboratively with the ministry of health. (Give a local example) In Peru, for example, the regulatory agency for potable water (Superintendencia de Agua Potable [SUNASS] in Spanish) works together with the Ministry of Health through the regional health directorates to conduct internal and external auditing. 19

20 The WSP Manual: Phase 4 Phase 4: Management and Communication Module 8: Prepare management procedures Module 9: Develop supporting programs The 4 th phase of the water safety plan consists of module 8 (preparation of management procedures) and module 9 (Development of supporting programs) 20

21 Module 8: Prepare Management Procedures Define & document actions to be taken under normal operating conditions & in emergency situations. UPDATE/DEFINE STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES (manuals & treatment plant posters, etc.) UPDATE/DEFINE EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLANS After defining the monitoring of the control measures and improving the compliance monitoring, the facilitators need to update the standard operating procedures to include all of the new changes. (Ask the participants if their companies have standard operating procedures [operation manuals for treatment plant operations]) Recently during conversations with Jamaican water utility operators, we discovered that the majority of the utility companies did not have standard operating procedures, therefore, the Jamaican National Water Commission and the Ministry of Health started to work with a Japanese agency to develop manuals for every company on the island. Furthermore, this module suggests the development of plans to respond to the changes during emergency situations. 21

22 Module 9: Develop Supporting Programs Develop or update programs or activities that advance personnel skills, knowledge & capacity & that indirectly support water safety. Examples: Operator training (SOPs, emergency procedures, WSP) Preventive maintenance Equipment calibration Household disinfection of drinking water for community members We have already spoken about the need to develop a supporting program to train community residents about the proper handling and storage of drinking water. Module 9 is the step where water safety plan facilitators should develop these complementary programs to strengthen the application of the water safety plan activity. In the experience of the CDC and other water safety plan facilitators an important support program has been the development of standard operating procedures because in many water utility companies the plans do not exist. 22

23 The WSP Manual: Phase 5 Phase 5: Feedback Module 10: Plan periodic review of WSP Module 11: Revise WSP following incident 23

24 Module 10/11: Periodic & Post-Incident Review 10: PLAN & CARRY OUT PERIODIC REVIEW OF THE WSP 11: REVISE THE WSP FOLLOWING AN INCIDENT Module 10 consist of a feedback phase, where facilitators conduct a systematic review of the plan after a period of time and the control measures are updated as necessary. Module 11 recommends a review of the water safety plan after emergency incidents to detect new hazards, hazardous events or failure of control measures. 24

25 The WSP Manual: Modules 1-11 Module 1: Assemble the WSP team Module 2: Describe the water supply system Module 3: Identify hazards Module 4: Assess control measures & risk Module 5: Develop improvement plans Module 6: Define control measure monitoring Module 7: Define verification monitoring Module 8: Prepare management procedures Module 9: Develop supporting programs Module 10: Plan periodic review of WSP Module 11: Revise WSP following incident In review, here are the 11 modules of a water safety plan 25

26 And after all the hard work, you have... engagement & momentum to take action to address risks a heightened awareness of the water supply system & its vulnerabilities strengthened relationships between stakeholders & more collaboration A better understood, better managed water supply system. A WSP is a data-driven process Actions taken are only as relevant as the data driving the process The implementation of a water safety plan can result in New commitments to face the hazards that affect the water supply system. A team that is aware of the system and its vulnerabilities New collaborations One should take into consideration that a water safety plan depends on reliable data. If the data do not reflect the reality of the system, then it will be difficult to take the appropriate corrective actions to improve the system. 26

27 Brian Hubbard THANK YOU Brian Hubbard Health Scientist US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Thank you for your attention. I would be happy to respond to your questions. Also, you may contact me at bnh5@cdc.gov 27