AWWA WQTC62540

AWWA WQTC62540 Application of HACCP for Distribution System Protection
Conference Proceeding by American Water Works Association, 11/01/2005

Martel, Katherine D.; Stevens, Melita; Deere, Daniel; McCarthy, Noel

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This paper summarizes findings from AwwaRF Project 2856 funded jointly by AwwaRFand the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). The purpose of this project was to evaluate the application of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) in thedrinking water industry to protect and maintain distribution system water quality. A tailoredHACCP system was developed specifically for water distribution systems, primarily based onwater industry experiences in Australia applying HACCP to individual water systems. Thetailored HACCP system was pilot tested by four participating utilities. In addition, five HACCP-certified utilities in Australia provided case study information on theirexperiences in implementing HACCP. The participating utilities used six categories of evaluation criteria to assess HACCPimplementation during the project pilot studies and the longer term, case studies of full-scaleHACCP implementation. These categories include:customer satisfaction, has HACCP implementation resulted in reduced customerinquiries or complaints about water quality received by the utility;regulatory compliance: has HACCP implementation resulted in improved waterquality compliance for the utility;risk management, has HACCP implementation resulted in strengthenedmechanisms for water quality risk management at the utility;system management, has HACCP implementation resulted in improved systemmanagement and control at the utility;human factors, has HACCP implementation improved the human relationships andunderstanding within the utility; and,costs and benefits, has HACCP implementation resulted in benefits that outweighthe costs to the utility?The project's final report, due to be published in early 2006, provides backgroundinformation on HACCP and its current applications in regulatory guidelines and utility HACCPplans. The report summarizes project findings from utility case studies and pilot studies, andprovides detailed guidelines for implementing the tailored HACCP plan for distribution systems.The report also includes example workshop training materials and sample HACCP Plans. Includes reference.