Implementing Drinking Water

Management Systems

Leslie Jarvis

Senior Policy Advisor

Water Unit

Regulatory approach by NSW Health

Supporting utilities to implement preventive approach

Responding to evidence of risks

Maintaining working relationships

Working together to ensure safe drinking water

Drinking Water Management Systems

NSW Health Drinking Water Monitoring Program

NSW Drinking Water Database

Fluoridation of Drinking Water

Aboriginal Communities Water and Sewerage Program

Drinking water management systems

A drinking water management system is

“The documents, procedures and other

supporting information for the safe supply

of drinking water”

Framework for Management of Drinking Water Quality

Introducing the Framework through legislation

NSW Public Health Act 2010 Division 1 Safety Measures for Drinking Water

Section 25 Quality Assurance Programs – A supplier of drinking water must

establish, and adhere to, a quality assurance program that complies with the

requirements prescribed by the regulations.

NSW Public Health Regulation 2012 Part 5 Safety Measures for Drinking

Water

Section 34 Quality Assurance Programs A quality assurance program must

address the elements of the Framework…. that are relevant to the operations

of the supplier of drinking water concerned.

Microbial Health Based Targets

Appropriate implementation of the Framework is how all water

quality risks should be managed

HBTs measure how well preventive measures address the

microbial risks from the catchment.

May drive the need to review adequacy of preventive measures

for some water utilities

Operate current treatment as best as possible

NSW Health support activities

DWMS development support - ~$2.8 m

Implementation projects- ~$4.5 m

Changes to the NSW Drinking

Water Database

Implementation support projects

• Annual review of DWMS

• DWMS workshop for merged utilities

• Catchment risk assessment

• Standard Operating Procedures development

• Critical Control Points review

• Water treatment process review / process optimisation

• Drinking water incident response protocol

Implementation support project priorities

• Key informants – Water utilities, PHUs, DPI Water

• Review of the adequacy of the DWMS and

identifying gaps

• Adequacy and operation of CCPs and SOPs

• Recording operational monitoring data, reviewing

and reporting on these results

• Following up items on the improvement

plans

• Assisting with funding applications

Tools, resources, guidance and training NSW Health website: http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/water/Pages/water-utilities.aspx

• DWMS guidance (including review and auditing guidance)

• SOP, operational monitoring, CCP reporting and annual review

report templates

• NSW Health incident response protocols

• NSW Drinking Water Database-recently enhanced

Workshops:

• Managing water quality risks in accordance with the ADWG

• Incident response plan development

• Monitoring program development and

NSW Drinking Water Database training

12

Assessing DWMS implementation

• Quick survey for

snapshot of

DWMS

implementation

• Measure

progress and

determine need

for further work

DWMS review and audit

Annual internal review with PHU

• Focus on CCP performance

• Submit annual reports to PHU

External review

• Frequency as agreed with PHU

• Conducted by reviewer/auditor approved by NSW Health

• Developing more detailed guidance

Water fluoridation

NHMRC review has strongly endorsed the ongoing effectiveness

and safety of fluoridation

Minister and NSW Health encouraging water utilities to implement

and expand fluoridation – 100% capital subsidy

Major review of NSW Fluoridation Code of Practice in conjunction

with industry, including review of training

Aboriginal Communities Water and Sewerage Program

Achievements to date • Agreements established with 36 communities

• 62 communities now receiving improved services; delivered by local councils and some private service providers

• Emergency repair works carried out at several other communities

• Thanks to all those water utilities involved in the Program

Drinking Water Management Systems

In 2016 Aboriginal Community Drinking Water Management Plans were incorporated into councils DWMS

When reviewing the DWMS please ensure you are using the version which incorporated the Aboriginal Community Drinking Water Management Plans

Invite the PHU and DPI Water to participate in this review

Health Outcomes Evaluation – data collection • Continue to submit Monthly Record Sheets

• Used to determine exposure to potential

health risks.

• The health outcomes evaluation will

examine the association between health

and improvements in water and sewerage

Employment and Training

• A pilot training and employment program is currently being developed

• The program will be evaluated after 12 months

The key to successful DWMS Implementation

Element 1 Commitment to drinking water quality management

Organisational support and long-term commitment by senior executive and

all levels is the foundation to successful implementation

Successful implementation requires:

• awareness and understanding of the importance of drinking water

quality management and how decisions affect public health

• continual review and improvement

• that the key role of operators is recognised and supported

• commitment to preventive risk management, end point

testing is too late

• engagement with all stakeholders