The project was used to support and promote the practical implementation of the Water Safety Plan (WSP) concept by WHO in small water supply companies. As a result, an experience-based manual tailored to the needs of small (as well as large) water suppliers could be developed on risk management in drinking water supply.
Together with the German Environment Agency (UBA), the practical implementation of the Water Safety Plan (WSP) concept in small water supplies was looked at in great detail.
The project aim was to produce an experience-based manual tailored to the needs of small water suppliers, which was created and published jointly by UBA and TZW. The basis of the manual were the experiences with the practical implementation of the WSP concept of WHO and the DVGW instructions W 1001 (now replaced by DIN EN 19575-2) in three selected water supply companies.
Led and closely supported by UBA and TZW, the project trialled how the WSP concept could be implemented in three water supply companies using existing resources to achieve the aim. The responsible health authorities were also included.
The manual is particularly aimed at responsible parties and operators of “small” water supply companies. It should be used to encourage and support the implementation of the WSP concept on site. The manual provides practical explanations, advice, examples and tools. It supports water suppliers in the continuous internal verification and optimisation of supply security during normal operation.
The manual can also be useful for health authorities, particularly if a water supplier in their area decides to introduce a risk management system. Conversely, health authorities can use this manual to help water suppliers better understand the principles of the WSP concept and to recommend its use.
The “Manual for small water suppliers” is listed in the “Guidelines for the risk assessment-based adjustment of sampling schedule (RAP)” as a basis for performing a risk assessment.
Publications:
Schmoll, O.; Bethmann, D.; Sturm, S.; Schnabel, B.: Das Water-Safety-Plan-Konzept für kleine Wasserversorgungen in Deutschland: Ein Handbuch zur praktischen Umsetzung [The Water Safety Plan concept for small water supply companies in Germany: A manual for its practical implementation]. ed. by the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) and DVGW-Technologiezentrum Wasser (TZW). Dessau-Roßlau (2014)
https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/publikationen/das-water-safety-plan-konzept-fuer-kleine
Rickert, B.; Zügner, V.; Sturm, S.; Brauer, F.: Germany’s Way to WSP Through Policy Actions and Technical Standards. Water Safety Conference 2022. Narvik 22-24 June 2022. Conference Proceedings. pp. 66-68; Editors: International Water Association (IWA), World Health Organization (WHO), UiT the Arctic University of Norway, Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden (2022)
