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Fact Sheet Series: Accident Prevention During Water TreatmentWhat are the steps taken to prevent water treatment prevention accidents?There are state and federal laws that regulate public drinking water suppliers. Compliance with these regulations assure that the customer receives high quality drinking water reducing the risk of waterborne diseases. The US Environmental Protection Agency administers the Safe Drinking Water Act and jurisdiction for enforcement of those federal regulations. In Connecticut laws related to the SDWA, the surveillance and investigation of diseases are administered by the Department of Public Health, while the Department of Environmental Protection has responsibility for approving diversions of water and protecting the ground and surface water resources. Local Health Departments have a responsibility for protecting the public health at the local level. Local health departments support the DPH programs and work closely with DPH and water supply systems. What is the purpose of the regulations?The regulations concerning drinking water establish the basic requirements to own and operate public water supply systems. These regulations establish criteria for: locating and developing a source of drinking water; water quality standards; protection of the distribution system; monitoring and treatment requirements; record keeping; response to emergencies; and reports to consumers. However, owners may find it difficult and time consuming to meet these requirements. Some of them have begun to use individuals or companies that specialize in drinking water safety, to assist them in meeting their responsibilities to comply with the regulations. Whatever the method used to comply with the regulations the owner of the drinking water supply is responsible for assuring that all of the requirements are met and so an understanding of the regulations is essential. The purpose of the sanitary survey is to identify anything that may be present in the water delivery system, pollution, mechanical, or operational problem that could adversely effect the public water supply. A sanitary survey includes the water source, the well and the area around it, facilities, equipment, operation and maintenance of the system. It is a comprehensive evaluation of the system, and while the regulations establish the time between "required" sanitary surveys this is an area where a more frequent evaluation should be considered. The frequency of the required sanitary survey is dependent on the type and size of the system, and the frequency that the system is required to collect total coliform samples each month. How is the water protected in the distribution system?A number of steps are taken to assure that the drinking water remains safe after it has been treated and has reached the distribution system because certain activities that occur in the distribution system can contaminate the water supply. The regulations require the following:
The reason for inspecting these sites is to assure that protective measures are in place so that water from a contaminated source cannot be drawn or pumped back into the distribution system. How is drinking water quality monitored?Many water supply systems that use a ground water source do not need to treat the drinking water. Others may need to treat the water for bacteria, corrosion control, hardness, iron or manganese, to name a few. Untreated drinking water is tested for: bacteriological and physical parameters, inorganic chemicals and pesticides. Drinking water ready for consumption is tested for: inorganic chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, and poly-chlorinated-biphenyls (pcb's), organic chemicals, radioactivity, and total coliforms. In addition there are very specific criteria established for sampling and monitoring for lead and copper. Water samples are collected by a technician employed by an environmental laboratory approved by the DPH, a certified distribution operator, treatment plant operator, sanitarian, employee of the department, or a person under the direct supervision of either a certified laboratory, a certified distribution system, or a certified treatment plant operator. The collected water samples must be analyzed at an environmental laboratory approved by the DPH. Information on each specific contaminant can be obtained from the DPH, water supply section or the USEPA, office of drinking water. What specific measures are taken to insure the consumer’s health?There is a requirement for reporting to assure that information concerning potential risks to the public reaches the appropriate agency as soon as possible, and to assure that the consumer is made aware of changes in water quality. Total coliform violations and violations of other MCLs are required to be reported to the local director and the DPH within prescribed time frames. This allows the agencies responsible for public health in the community and state to be aware of conditions that could increase risk to a person’s health. Whenever a water system has violated regulations concerning water quality and quantity, or a treatment technique; or failed to monitor as required, or to comply with current testing procedures or is subject to a variance or exemption, it must notify the persons it serves using either the newspaper, via mail, radio or television. The method of notification selected is dependent on the type of violation and whether a waiver has been obtained from the DPH. For acute risk violations the supplier must use radio and television serving the area within the time frame required. Maintaining accurate and up to date records provides a means to review the operation of the water supply system and also assure the regulatory agencies and consumers that the system is being managed effectively. There are specific requirements for records concerning water sampling. These records must be retained for a minimum of 3 to 12 years. References: The Office of Ground and Drinking Water, USEPA
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