A Framework for Drinking Water Quality Management is being developed to provide guidance on the establishment of preventive risk-assessment based systems for the management of drinking water quality. The Framework provides a comprehensive and flexible approach operating from catchment to consumer to optimise drinking water quality and safeguard public health. It has been designed to reduce the reliance on compliance monitoring as the primary means for managing water quality and instead allows this monitoring to be viewed in the perspective of providing verification that preventive measures are working effectively. The Framework incorporates the principles of quality management in a system designed specifically for the water industry. A central feature of the Framework is the requirement for a systematic and comprehensive analysis to provide an understanding of the characteristics of a drinking water supply including identification of hazards, assessment of risks that might arise and the planning and prioritising of strategies to control the hazards and minimise the risks. It addresses technical and operational issues together with other aspects such as corporate commitment and relationships with other stakeholders and consumers. The Framework is being developed in consultation with and support from the water industry and health and environmental organisations.
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