Water Safety Plan

Guide
Distribution System
– System Pressure
Version 1, Ref D2.2

January 2014
Citation: Ministry of Health. 2014. Water Safety Plan Guide:
Distribution System – System Pressure, Version 1, ref D2.2.
Wellington: Ministry of Health.

Published in January 2014

by the Ministry of Health
PO Box 5013, Wellington, New Zealand

ISBN: 978-0-478-42764-6 (print)

ISBN: 978-0-478-42765-3 (online)

Previously published in 2001 as Public Health Risk

Management Plan Guide: Distribution System – System
Pressure, Version 1, ref D2.2. This publication’s title and any
reference within the text to ‘public health risk management
plan’ were changed in January 2014 to reflect the December
2013 legislation change of the term ‘public health risk
management plan’ to ‘water safety plan’. No other changes
have been made to this document.

This document is available at: www.health.govt.nz

Contents

Introduction 1

Risk Summary 2

Risk Information Table 3

Contingency Plans 7

Water Safety Plan Performance Assessment 8

Ref D2.2 Water Safety Plan Guide: iii

Version 1, January 2014 Distribution System – System Pressure
Introduction
Maintaining an adequate water pressure within a reticulation network
minimises the chances of backflow occurring or contaminants getting
into the water if a break occurs in the mains. This Guide is concerned
with managing the network pressure.

Under normal conditions the static pressure in the reticulation network

should be 250–300 kPa; 150 kPa at the consumer’s tap is considered to
be the minimum acceptable pressure.

If an event to do with system pressure occurs, ie, the pressure has not
been maintained, the following could happen:
 If there have been fluctuations in the system pressure, sickness can
come from germs or chemicals that have got into the water when
the pressure was low.
 If pressure changes have stirred up debris within the mains, germs
or chemicals in the debris can cause sickness.

Work needed to maintain system pressure may present risks to the

health of staff. These are acknowledged, but are not discussed further
as such risks are the subject of health and safety in employment
legislation.

Being able to maintain enough pressure in the system depends on

having enough water. This is dealt with in Guides D1 and P3 and the P1
series of Guides. Problems associated with pressure are also considered
in Guides P2, D2.1, D2.3 and D2.4. The use of pumps for the
maintenance of pressure is dealt with in Guide P10.

Ref D2.2 Water Safety Plan Guide: 1

Version 1, January 2014 Distribution System – System Pressure
Risk Summary
The event creating the greatest risk associated with system pressure are
large fluctuations in pressure (see D2.2.1).

The most important preventive measures are:

 monitor changes in flows and pressure in the system (see D2.2.1.2)
 take steps, including the development of backup sources of water,
the use of pressure-reducing and pressure-sustaining valves, to
allow better control of pressure (see D2.2.1.2)
 monitor the operation of network pumps and have preventive
maintenance programmes for them (and bore pumps if part of the
system) (see D2.2.1.4 and D2.2.1.5)
 make sure properties where there are sources of possible
contamination have backflow prevention (see Corrective Actions
D2.2.1.1 – although not a preventive measure this action is
important and therefore noted here).

(References in parentheses are to the Risk Information Table.)

2 Water Safety Plan Guide: Ref D2.2

Distribution System – System Pressure Version 1, January 2014
Risk Information Table
Reliable information about water quality is essential for the proper
management of a water supply. Knowledgeable and skilled staff are also
essential for minimising the public health risks associated with water
supplies. Please read the staff training (Guide G1) and the monitoring
guides (Guide G2). While we haven’t pointed out every detail of how
these documents are linked with the present document, the links are
many and are important.

Abbreviations: DWSNZ – Drinking-Water Standards for New Zealand

Causes Preventive measures Checking preventive measures Corrective

action
What to check Signs that
action is
needed

Event: INTRODUCTION OF CONTAMINATION BY PRESSURE FLUCTUATIONS

Possible hazards: Germs and chemical determinands (depending on the nature of the
contamination source).
Level of risk: High1

D2.2.1.1  Model network analysis  Flows.  Increase in  Revisit

Mains to identify potential flow above network
 Pressures.
pressure problem pressure areas. normal model to
failure  Demand. rates. identify
 Regular check on
elsewhere, potential
hydrant flows or  Treatment  Pressure
or high problem areas
correlation of fire service plant output. fluctuations.
instantaneo better.
data with water
us demand.  Microbiologic  Reservoir
supplier’s pressure and  Review
al quality. levels
flow data. pumping
outside
regime out of
 Planned replacement normal
zone.
and/or relining of mains. diurnal
pattern.  Review
 Develop programmes
mains
to carry out annual leak  E. coli or
replacement
detection and undertake coliforms
programme.
repairs. Record: detected in
– customer 100 ml  Ensure
water backflow
complaints
sample. valves are
– fire service installed at at-
feedback. risk properties
and audited
 Implement water
to assess
conservation policy – eg,
correct
restrictions on garden
operation (see
watering, public appeals
Guide D2.4).
to reduce demand.
 Modify water
 Increase flow rate of
conservation
treatment plant.
strategy.
 Drop the pressure in
the whole system or part
of it.

1 Low pressure can allow back-siphonage.

Ref D2.2 Water Safety Plan Guide: 3

Version 1, January 2014 Distribution System – System Pressure
 Causes Preventive measures Checking preventive measures Corrective
action
What to check Signs that
action is
needed

Event: INTRODUCTION OF CONTAMINATION BY PRESSURE FLUCTUATIONS cont’d

D2.2.1.2  Continuously monitor  Flows.  Pipe failure  Review

Pipe failure flow measurements from rate higher network
 Pressures.
or treatment plants and than model to
accidental reservoirs.  Frequency average optimise
penetration.  and location expected pressure and
Set maximum response
of pipe from pipe flow.
times to customer
failures. condition.
complaints and failures,
and have procedures in  Microbiologic  Unaccepta
place to isolate failures al quality. ble number
to minimise their of breaks
impacts. because
undergroun
 Establish and publicise
d protocol
emergency/fault phone
not
line.
followed.
 Identify critical areas of
 E. coli
poor quality pipe.
detected in
 Define a protocol for 100 ml  Revise
contractors doing water contractor
underground work on sample. protocol.
other services, and
check that it is being
adhered to.
 Develop and adhere to
programmed annual
work as per Asset Plan.
 Develop pressure
control programme for
whole system, or
selected zones,
including use of:
– ancillary sources –
eg, bores
– pressure reducing
valves and pressure
sustaining valves
– reservoir levels, etc.
 Undertake an annual
leak detection
programme on the
whole system or
selected zones.
 Ensure suitable
materials are used for
network construction
(see Guide D2.1).

4 Water Safety Plan Guide: Ref D2.2

Distribution System – System Pressure Version 1, January 2014
 Causes Preventive measures Checking preventive measures Corrective
action
What to check Signs that
action is
needed

Event: INTRODUCTION OF CONTAMINATION BY PRESSURE FLUCTUATIONS cont’d

D2.2.1.3  Regularly check that air  Reservoir  Pressure  Re-examine

Unpredicted valves are working levels. outside network
event such effectively. normal model to
 Pressure.
as a major range. determine
 Undertake immediate
fire.  Consumer ways of
investigation of dirty  Consumers
complaints. sustaining
water complaints. complain
pressure
 Microbiologic about dirty
 Locate reservoirs at under these
al quality. water and
elevations that minimise circumstances
lack of
pressure drops. .
pressure.
 Make sure
 E. coli or
recommended fire-
coliforms
fighting reserves of
detected in
water are maintained.
100 ml
 Use a pressure booster, water
if ancillary sources are sample after
available. the event.

D2.2.1.4  Standby pump with  Pumps.  Pump  Re-route

Failure of auto start. stops. water from
 Pressure.
network other zones if
 Obtain generator  Customer
pumps  Microbiologic possible.
backup. complaints.
pumping to al quality.
 Start
high zones  Preventive  Pressure
preventive
or reservoirs maintenance drops.
maintenance
(see Guide programme for pumps.
 E. coli or programme.
P10). coliforms
detected in
100 ml
water
sample.

D2.2.1.5  Monitor bore  Bore flow.  Bore  Identify

Failure of performance either pumps stop. reasons for
 Pressure.
bore pumps directly or using an bore pump
 Reduced
(for systems observation bore.  Microbiologic failure, and
flow from
with bores).  al quality. rectify.
Preventive bores.
maintenance  Start
 Reduced
programme for bore preventive
pressure in
pumps and planed maintenance
bore-fed
programme for overhaul programme.
reticulation
of pumps (see Guide
zone.
P10).
 E. coli or
 Monitor flow from bore.
coliforms
 Monitor reticulation detected in
system pressure. 100 ml
water
sample.

2 This event may lead to discolouration of water and the release of bacteria that were previously
protected by the sediment and deposits in the pipes.

Ref D2.2 Water Safety Plan Guide: 5

Version 1, January 2014 Distribution System – System Pressure
 Causes Preventive measures Checking preventive measures Corrective
action
What to check Signs that
action is
needed

Event: RE-SUSPENSION OF SEDIMENT OR BIOFILM WITHIN THE MAINS BY PRESSURE

FLUCTUATIONS
Possible hazards: Germs; chemical determinands.
Level of risk: Low–moderate

D2.2.2.1 See Guide D2.3 – Event D2.3.2.

Sediment or Although D2.3.2 deals with re-suspension of material after repair of a mains break or
biofilm attachment of a fitting, the net effect and the risks are the same as re-suspension of
allowed to material already in the mains.
develop.

D2.2.2.2 See Guide D2.3 – Event D2.3.2.

Significant Although D2.3.2 deals with re-suspension of material after repair of a mains break or
fluctuations attachment of a fitting, the net effect and the risks are the same as re-suspension of
in material already in the mains.
reticulation
pressure.

6 Water Safety Plan Guide: Ref D2.2

Distribution System – System Pressure Version 1, January 2014
Contingency Plans
If an event happens despite preventive and corrective actions you have
taken, you may need to consult with the Medical Officer of Health to
assess how serious a problem is.

Event – System pressure too low

Indicators:  Unexplained water loss or observed damage.
 Reservoir levels difficult to sustain.
 Treatment plant working at or near maximum
capacity.
 Observed problems with air valves.
 Mains breaks.
 Pressure fluctuations or significant decrease in
pressure.
 Elevated turbidity, microbiological counts or
chemical determinand concentrations.
 Incidents of illness suspected of being linked to
events associated with the trunk mains.
 Increased chlorine demand.

Ref D2.2 Water Safety Plan Guide: 7

Version 1, January 2014 Distribution System – System Pressure
Required  Take microbiological samples to check compliance
actions: with DWSNZ:2000 Section 3.2.2.2 (water leaving the
plant) and Section 3.2.2.3 (in the distribution
system) – microbiological and chlorine requirements.
If results indicate a transgression follow procedure
as set out in Figures 3.2 and 3.3 of DWSNZ:2000.
 If chemical contamination is suspected, monitor
concentrations of the suspected determinand and
follow the requirements of Section 4.4.1 of
DWSNZ:2000.
 Determine the reason for water loss and leakage,
repair and plan for long-term preventive measures.
 Review flushing records and pipework repairs in the
area of the repair to confirm all sections of the
pipework would have been flushed, and flush again.
 Monitor chlorine residuals and increase residual to
make sure more than 0.2 mg/L FAC reaches all parts
of the distribution system.
 Confirm that all procedures for pipe repair including
crew repair procedures were followed.
 Review laboratory results and take further samples.
 Record cause of system failure.
 Modify water safety plan if necessary.
Responsibili Manager designated responsible for the water supply.
ty:

8 Water Safety Plan Guide: Ref D2.2

Distribution System – System Pressure Version 1, January 2014
Water Safety Plan
Performance Assessment
To make sure that your supply’s water safety plan (formerly known as a
Public Health Risk Management Plan, PHRMP) is working properly,
periodic checks are needed. The overview document outlines what
needs to be done. The following table provides the detailed information
for checking this particular supply element.

What to  Bacteriological sampling of burst main repairs

measure or and mains renewal projects.
observe:
 Job sheets to record procedures used,
observations made and problems encountered.
 Continuous chlorine residual.
 Minimal to nil consumer complaints about
discoloration, staining and taste and odours.
 E. coli.
 Review of incident log books.
These measurements are influenced by a wide range
of factors including site-specific system
characteristics and performance of the treatment
plant.

How often:  DWSNZ:2000 (see Note 7 Table 3.1) requires

sampling to be done within 12 hours of
completion of construction or repair work, or
restoration of flow. Bacteriological sampling for
three consecutive days after work is completed
should be carried out and E. coli should not be
detected in any of these samples. If E. coli is
detected, advise the MOH and institute normal
corrective procedures (Section 3.4.1.2
DWSNZ:2000).
 Chlorine residuals should be measured after
every event.

Ref D2.2 Water Safety Plan Guide: 9

Version 1, January 2014 Distribution System – System Pressure
What to do with  Results need to be recorded to meet legislative
the results: requirements or to allow water safety plan
performance assessment. The WINZ database is
good for this.
 The collected data need to be periodically
reviewed to see whether problems with this
supply element are developing. This should be
done as frequently as the manager responsible
considers necessary to minimise risk to public
health arising from this supply element.
 Should the review flag any unusual incidents,
indicate that proper procedures are not being
carried out, highlight poor laboratory results or
indicate that poor water quality is reaching
customers, then review the procedures for
managing system pressure.
 Evaluate the monitoring results, and any actions
taken as the result of having to implement a
contingency plan, to see if the water safety plan
needs modification – eg, preventive measures
are up to date; the contingency plan steps are
still adequate; and changes to the way system
pressure is managed are recognised in the plan.

Responsibility: Manager designated responsible for water supply.

10 Water Safety Plan Guide: Ref D2.2

Distribution System – System Pressure Version 1, January 2014