Using Sanitary Survey Findings to Identify Risk Management Challenges

Abstract

Key Takeaways Sanitary survey data can be broadly evaluated to understand the most prevalent issues occurring within public water systems. The most commonly identified deficiencies are associated with monitoring and reporting, finished water storage, and treatment. Reviewing sanitary survey findings and common deficiencies may help officials proactively determine water system infrastructure issues and utility training needs.

How Water Safety Plans Complement Sanitary Surveys

“…After their review of sanitary survey information from 48 states and the District of Columbia, Heinrich et al (2022) found that about one‐fourth of the systems in the study had (1) deficiencies caused by unprotected or potential cross connections and (2) failures to monitor and report compliance data according to monitoring plans. Other areas of deficiency included water treatment, water storage, emergency response plans and security, source water intake conditions, and water operator requirements.…”