March 13, 2023 Ι The International Water Association (IWA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have released the second edition of the Water Safety Plan Manual. It offers practical guidance for the development and implementation of water safety planning in accordance with WHO guidelines for drinking water quality.
Manual provides a broad range of examples and case studies
The manual is intended for water suppliers and organisations supporting water safety planning programmes, including government agencies responsible for public health, regulation, and surveillance of drinking water quality, as well as non-governmental and intergovernmental organizations. It provides a broad range of examples and case studies from low- through to high-income settings, highlighting practical solutions to real-world challenges from around the globe to help readers apply the guidance in diverse contexts.
“Water safety planning is a central recommendation of WHO’s Guidelines for Drinking-Water Quality, and as we accelerate progress on achieving SDG 6.1, this second edition will better support practitioners to provide more resilient and safer drinking water services to safeguard the health of all users.”
The manual covers various aspects of water safety planning, including risk assessment, risk management, and risk communication. It also provides guidance on the development of monitoring programmes, contingency planning, and documentation of water safety plans. The second edition of the manual includes updates and new guidance to address emerging challenges in the water sector, such as climate change, equity, and resilience.
The manual is available for download on the IWA website.