Preventive measures Checking preventive measures Corrective action Causes What to check Signs that action is needed Reticulation system Event: CONTAMINATION ENTERS THE WATER AFTER TREATMENT Possible hazards: Germs, chemicals. Level of risk: High9 C1.8.1 Where you can see pipes, Water Signs of leaks Start checking check them for signs of pressure at found during the pipes Breaks, leaks damage or breaks every six taps. checks. regularly. or damage to months. If the pipes could be the pipes. Damage Much more Get advice on damaged by floods or slips, checks. water used than how to make also check after heavy rain. expected. the water less Reduce the corrosiveness of corrosive. Rust-coloured the water by placing marble water, or water See if you can chips in the holding tank, for with a bitter provide better example. protection for “iron” taste. Where pipes are above the pipes. Leaks appear ground, make sure they are often. protected from accidental damage. Require subcontractors to report any damage to water supply pipes they cause. C1.8.2 Get a properly qualified Appearance Water is Employ a person to make any repairs. of the discoloured, or registered Contaminants This person must: water. tastes or smells plumber to enter the bad. make the thoroughly wash their water during Repair repairs OR hands before making the repairs to the records. People who make sure the repair reticulation. drink the water person making clean and disinfect with get sick. the repairs is chlorine all tools (very Repair is not properly trained. important if they have also recorded. been used with wastewater) flush the repaired pipe to remove any dirt fill the repaired section of pipe with chlorinated water, allow it to sit, then thoroughly flush. Record where the repair was made, and who made it. C1.8.3 Use a properly qualified Plans Plans show the Get contractor contractor to lay pipes. showing sewer and to relocate Water pipes locations of drinking-water pipes to make are laid too sewers and systems run sure there is close to the close together. enough sewer. pipes. separation. 9 The level of risk will be high if UV disinfection takes place a long way from the point of use, or water is stored after treatment.
Causes Preventive measures Checking preventive measures Corrective action What to check Signs that action is needed Reticulation system Event: CONTAMINATION ENTERS THE WATER AFTER TREATMENT Possible hazards: Germs, chemicals. Level of risk: High9 C1.8.1 Breaks, leaks or damage to the pipes. Where you can see pipes, check them for signs of damage or breaks every six months. If the pipes could be damaged by floods or slips, also check after heavy rain. Reduce the corrosiveness of the water by placing marble chips in the holding tank, for example. Where pipes are above ground, make sure they are protected from accidental damage. Require subcontractors to report any damage to water supply pipes they cause. Water pressure at taps. Damage checks. Signs of leaks found during checks. Much more water used than expected. Rust-coloured water, or water with a bitter “iron” taste. Leaks appear often. Start checking the pipes regularly. Get advice on how to make the water less corrosive. See if you can provide better protection for the pipes. C1.8.2 Contaminants enter the water during repairs to the reticulation. Get a properly qualified person to make any repairs. This person must: thoroughly wash their hands before making the repair clean and disinfect with chlorine all tools (very important if they have also been used with wastewater) flush the repaired pipe to remove any dirt fill the repaired section of pipe with chlorinated water, allow it to sit, then thoroughly flush. Record where the repair was made, and who made it. Appearance of the water. Repair records. Water is discoloured, or tastes or smells bad. People who drink the water get sick. Repair is not recorded. Employ a registered plumber to make the repairs OR make sure the person making the repairs is properly trained. C1.8.3 Water pipes are laid too close to the sewer. Use a properly qualified contractor to lay pipes. Plans showing locations of sewers and pipes. Plans show the sewer and drinking-water systems run close together. Get contractor to relocate pipes to make sure there is enough separation. 9 The level of risk will be high if UV disinfection takes place a long way from the point of use, or water is stored after treatment.