Lessons learned from implementing drinking water safety plans in the

Pacific

Water Safety Conference (2-4 Nov 2010)Kuching, MalaysiaManaging Drinking Water Quality for Public Health

Khatri, K, S. Iddings, M. Overmars, T. Hasan and A. Freshwater

Water Safety ConferenceNovember 2-4 2010, Kuching, Malaysia

2

Map of Western Pacific regionMap of Western Pacific region

3

Background and introduction

2800 deaths in the Pacific region mostly children under the age of five years attribute from acute diarrhoea.

The Pacific island countries lag behind the rest of the world in relation to access to their populace to safe drinking water and basic sanitation.

Only 50% of the Pacific population have access to improved drinking water sources while 39% have improved sanitation facilities.

4

For every eight people in the Pacific island countries, only one had access to piped water into their dwelling, plot or yard in 2006 and only 46% had access to any type of improved drinking-water facility.Proportion of people using different types of drinking-water sources in the Pacific island countries, 2006

5

Diarrhoea is typically the 2nd leading cause of death and serious illness in young children besides respiratory infections

Distribution of mortality due to different causes among children less than five years old in a typical country of the Pacific (Fiji)

6

Regional Frameworks relevant for drinking water

Besides the MDGs, PICs have committed to take actions through various regional frameworks, including:

Pacific Regional Wastewater Framework for Action (2001)

Pacific RAP (2002) Pacific Framework for Action on DWQ and

Health (2005) Beppu Policy Statement of the 1st Asia-Pacific

Water Forum (2007)

7

Pacific Integrated PlanPacific Integrated PlanDrinking Water Quality and HealthDrinking Water Quality and Health

Integrated Plan

8

Integrated Drinking Water Quality Programmes

Water Quality Monitoring Programme

NZMoH Pacific DW Assistance

Programme

Water Safety

Planning Programme

9

Drinking water safety planDrinking water safety plan

A DWSP covers the following questions:

1. What could make the water unsafe to drink? hazards that the water supply is exposed to the level of risk associated with each hazard

2. What makes it safe? The best control for each hazard

3. Which of these factors need urgent attention? Priorities (based on risk and cost effectiveness)

10

Implementing DWSPs in the Pacific

An effective mechanism through partnership developed under the integrated plan as showed earlier ensured the technical support is provided in an efficient manner.

Countries implementing the drinking water safety plans include Vanuatu, Tonga, Cook Islands, Palau, Samoa, Niue, Republic of Marshall Islands and Fiji.

Most countries have come a long way from the inception of the concept to actual implementation of water safety plans.

11

Drinking Water Safety Planning:

A practical Guide for Pacific Island Countries

Structure of Guide:

Part 1: Setting up National Support Processes

Part 2: Drinking Water Safety Planning Manual

Drawn from experiences in pilot countries (Tonga, Palau, Cook Islands and Vanuatu)

12

Part 1: Setting up National Supporting Processes

13

National support processes for DWSP

1. A national strategy preferably with health-based targets should be the first stage in the process;

2. The development of WSPs for individual supplies;

3. Introduce independent surveillance;

4. Review effectiveness of the WSP against the health-based target.

14

It should be understood by water suppliers and managers that a drinking water safety plan should not be merely used as a tool to support capital investments.

The main aim of a drinking water safety plan is to ensure that water supplied to consumers is consistently safe to drink and to manage potential risks from catchment to consumer.

15

Part 2 : Drinking Water Safety Planning Manual

16

Keeping Your Water SafeDesigned for use by Community Trainers, Health Officers, Community Workers, and Facilitators

Raise awareness about the need to keep water clean and promote responsible attitudes, behavior and actions to ensure safety of drinking water

Simple Tools for Community-based Water Quality Monitoring

1) H2S (hydrogen sulfide) test for bacteria in water

2) Sanitary survey sheets

18

ChallengesChallenges The geographical spread of the islands which hinder

the communication and make regular face-to-face communication with counterparts very difficult.

The generally poor data including health data makes it difficult to review the impact of DWSPs in terms of health benefits for the population. This could become a challenge in the general acceptance of drinking water safety plans.

Also, the lack of human resources can lead to counterparts to not able to commit themselves fully.

Funding support to scale up DWSPs in time and in space.

19

Lessons learnedLessons learned

It takes time to promote understanding and acceptability of the drinking water safety plans concept which is fairly new to the Pacific.

Stakeholder involvement and collaboration are very beneficial but can become challenging if there is any conflict of interests.

20

Lessons learned cont…

Operational staff in water utilities need to be thoroughly involved in drinking water safety plan development and should be given specific training on plant and equipment operation and maintenance.

Lastly, vulnerability of community or village water supplies is much greater compared to urban water supplies because there is usually limited or no treatment of water. Thus mechanisms to better support village water supply safety should be established.