WSNTG Annual Conference September 2007

Water Services National Training Group

11th Annual Conference

6th September 2007

WSNTG Annual Conference September 2007

Drinking Water – 2007 Regs & Crypto Risk Management

Oliver Fogarty

Senior Adviser

DEHLG

Outline of Presentation

PROTECTION OF PUBLIC HEALTH Background to DW Regulations ECJ Judgment & Ireland’s Response to

Date New Regulations & Summary of Key

Changes

Crypto Risk Management

Background to Regulations

Surface Water Directive 75/440/EEC S.I. No. 294 of 1989

Drinking Water Directive 80/778/EEC S.I. No. 81 of 1988 S.I. No. 177 of 2000 S.I. No. 259 of 2003

Drinking Water Directive 98/83/EC S.I. No. 439 of 2000

ECJ Proceedings & Decision

Case No C-316/00 that Ireland failed: In respect of 850 public WSS (T & F

Coli) In respect of > 810 GWSS (T & F Coli) In respect of transposition vis a vis

GWSS

THREAT OF FINES

Response to ECJ

PROTECTION OF PUBLIC HEALTH Section 83 of Local Gov Act

Reduces 88 Sanitary Auth. to 34 City & County Councils

Further amendment of S.I. No. 439 of 2000 Water Services Act (passed May 07)

Streamlines water services legislation Annual WSIP with record funding

EXPENDITURE 1994 - 2007

€0

€100

€200

€300

€400

€500

€600

Total €m

WSIP €m

RWP €m

EXPENDITURE 1994 - 2007

€0€20€40€60€80

€100€120€140€160

0

10

20

30

40

50

RWP €m

RWP %

Response to ECJ

Pilot Source Protection Plan Manual on TS for single houses (EPA) REPS and Good Farming Practice Nitrates Directive/Action Programme WFD Drinking Water National Monitoring NRWMC

Response to ECJ

Implementation of DBO Quality Assurance Scheme (GW) Training & Development (WSNTG) Ongoing reporting to Cion Revised Regulations / Urgent

New Regulations

PROTECTION OF PUBLIC HEALTH

S.I. No. 106 of 2007 08th March 2007, WSP5/07 Incorporated most modifications

S.I. 278 of 2007 12th June 2007, WSP6/07, WSP7/07 Indictable offences, revised Fluoride standard

S.I. 278 of 2007 - General

European Communities (Drinking Water) (No. 2) Regulations 2007

WSP 7/07 (summary) WSP8/07 (letter to group schemes) Largely replicates original 2000 Regs Implementation WG

DEHLG, EPA, CCMA, NFGWSS, NRWMC, WSNTG

Guidance from EPA

Key Changes – Supervision

EPA supervises sanitary authority supplies

Sanitary authority supervises all other supplies

Supervisory authority to carry out periodic audits

Supervisory authority – powers of direct intervention – cost recovery

Key Changes – Offences

Failure to comply with directions Failure to inform SA of incidents Failure to maintain records Failure to inform consumers of incidents Failure to maintain internal plumbing

(where water supplied to public) in safe condition

Summary and Indictable offences

Key Changes – Supervision

PROTECTION OF PUBLIC HEALTH Water Suppliers must comply Intervention (where public health risk)

will be subject to agreement with HSE Maintain register Keep data on monitoring and make

available to public (may be electronic)

Key Changes – Monitoring

Sanitary (Water Services) Authority monitors all supplies

Monitoring programmes subject to approval of EPA

EPA has enforcement powers in respect of monitoring

Key Changes – Water Suppliers

Must inform consumer WS must maintain records of incidents

and general operations and make available to supervisory authority

Key Changes – Remedial Action

PROTECTION OF PUBLIC HEALTH Investigation Discovery of non-compliance Remedial Action Timelines

WSNTG Annual Conference September 2007

Drinking Water – 2007 Regs & Crypto Risk Management

Oliver Fogarty

Senior Adviser

DEHLG

Crypto – Background

Circular Letter L7/98 Protection of Drinking Water Supplies against

contamination from Crypto Guidelines on reducing risk Review action plans and training programmes Good prevention measures Ensure good liaison with Health Boards and

EPA

Crypto – Risk Assessment Crypto (Scottish Water) Directions 2003 NDSC 2004 & EPA Handbook on DW Regs,

Implementation for Sanitary Authorities Quantitative scoring system to determine if high,

moderate or low risk Directions specify frequency of sampling for raw

(catchment risk score + Q) Directions specify frequency of sampling for

treated (catchment risk score +treatment risk score + Q)

Risk Assessment - Model

Quantitative Assessment The degree of exposure to oocysts Agricultural practices Sewage inputs Water source type River and intake management Water treatment Treatment works monitoring Performance and operational factors

Risk Assessment - Model

Score = N x 0.4 x log10(population)

Range Very High > 100 High 76 – 100 Moderate 50 – 75 Low < 50

Crypto Incidents

Incidents linked to Water Supply Mullingar Ennis Carlow Roscommon Portlaw Galway Clonmel

Risk Reduction

Risk Reduction – TreatmentShort Term Operate plant at its optimum design level Avoid overloading plant Avoid bypassing Deal with UFW & leaks

Risk Reduction – TreatmentShort Term Avoid surges in filter operation Never restart without backwashing Allow filters to “ripen” Avoid recycling of backwash when risk is high Evaluate value of coagulant aids Install turbidity monitors on each filter

Generic Monitors

Risk Reduction – TreatmentShort Term Ensure coagulant (dose, brand, type etc) are

optimal Optimise pH for coagulation Evaluate use of flocculant aids Ensure adequate mixing Check sludge bleeds regularly Minimise sludge blanket disturbance by flow

variation or wind effects Backwash filters as frequently as possible

Risk Reduction – TreatmentShort Term Ensure adequate depth of media If possible run filters to waste on start up Strive for lowest possible levels of turbidity Monitor filter headloss For rapid filters consider use of polyelectrolyte

as conditioner Do not use backwash or process water without

special treatment. Flush mains regularly Inspect and clean reservoirs – repair defects

Risk Reduction – CatchmentMedium to Long Term

Catchment management plans – grazing (monthly inspections)

Nitrates Action programme REPS WFD Management of slaughtering/meat processing

plants upstream EPA guidance for single houses Ensure integrity of Borehole linings

Risk Reduction – Conclusion

Treatment Plant Catchment Low Cost

WSNTG Annual Conference September 2007

Water Services National Training Group

11th Annual Conference

6th September 2007