Sanitary Survey Resources

Sanitary Survey Training for Inspecting Small Water Systems

This training teaches participants how to conduct sanitary surveys of small water systems. Training includes all eight essential elements of a sanitary survey as outlined in the EPA/State Joint Guidance on Sanitary Surveys and the interim enhanced surface water treatment rule. The training can be presented either as a four-day course covering both surface and ground water systems, or a two-day course focusing either on surface or ground water systems. The standard training can also be supplemented by a half-day module on security considerations when conducting a sanitary survey of a small water system. The training is provided by EPA Region 6 personnel, state and local training institutions, or contractors. For additional information see the DWA Course Catalog. See the Training Calendar to see whether courses are currently scheduled.

Sanitary Survey Fundamentals Prep Course

This CD contains a short, interactive course with the basics of small public water system operations. The course provides a good foundation to prepare for taking sanitary survey training. A zip file may be downloaded from Montana State University's Water Center Web site (link to http://water.montana.edu/training/ssf/default.htm ) or you may order a CD from the National Drinking Water Clearinghouse at 800-624-8301 or 304-293-4191. Refer to the “Sanitary Survey Fundamentals Prep Course,” product #DWCDTR19.

Electronic Sanitary Survey

The DWA has developed electronic versions of a sanitary survey for use by state sanitary inspectors equipped with a personal digital assistant (PDA) or Tablet PC. The electronic sanitary survey addresses the eight elements of a sanitary survey and meets the requirements of the Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule and the upcoming Ground Water Rule. For more information, see the Electronic Sanitary Survey page.

Learner's Guide: How to Conduct a Sanitary Survey of Small Water Systems and Drinking Water Inspector's Field References for Small Ground Water Systems and Small Surface Water Systems

People who take the sanitary survey training course above receive copies of the Learner's Guide and the Field References. These materials are also available separately.

The Learner's Guide covers the following topics: organizing the sanitary survey; drinking water regulations; water sources; water supply pumps and pumping; storage facilities; water treatment processes; distribution systems; cross- connections; monitoring and laboratory testing; and water system management. The Guide contains numerous graphics of key water system components.

The Field References provide comprehensive checklists of questions to be considered during a sanitary survey of a small system. The References are in a small-sized format so they can be used by inspectors in the field. The Field References include graphics needed to identify and understand water system components and procedures.

State and local training institutions may obtain free, except for shipping and handling costs, multiple copies of these publications to provide to trainees when conducting the above Sanitary Survey Training for Inspecting Small Water Systems. Sanitary survey inspectors may also obtain individual copies. These publications are available from the National Environmental, Safety, and Health Training Association at no cost except for shipping and handling. You can print the order form (PDF) (4 pp, 42K, About PDF) and mail or fax it to the address on the form.

The Learner's Guide is also available to download (ZIP FILE) in Spanish. For more information or to obtain a copy, contact Jamie Bourne (bourne.james@epa.gov) at 202-564-4095.

Sanitary Survey Inspection "Before You Begin" DVD

A video series designed for state and local agency inspectors to view before conducting a sanitary survey of a small water system. These videos, currently numbering eight, are compiled on a 2-DVD set:

Wells;
Cross-connections;
Storage;
Hypochorination;
Gas chlorination;
Distribution systems;
Sampling and recordkeeping; and
Ground Water Under the Direct Influence (GWUDI).

The DVD set is available from the National Environmental, Safety, and Health Training Association (NESHTA) at no cost except for shipping and handling. You can print the order form (PDF) (4 pp, 42K, About PDF) and mail or fax it to the address on the form.

Learner's Guide to Security Considerations for Small Drinking Water Systems When Performing a Sanitary Survey

This guide identifies and explains major security considerations applicable to small drinking water systems. The Guide can be used by state agency personnel in conjunction with a sanitary survey or as a preliminary security review of a small drinking water system. It can also be used in conjunction with sanitary survey training.

The Guide is supplemented by a DVD that presents scenarios demonstrating different security issues for small water systems. The DVD contains two versions: one designed for state personnel who conduct sanitary surveys and the other for water system operators.

State and local training institutions may obtain free, except for shipping and handling costs, multiple copies of the Guide and DVD to provide to trainees when conducting a sanitary survey training session that includes security considerations. Sanitary survey inspectors may also obtain individual copies. These publications are available from the National Environmental, Safety, and Health Training Association. You can print the order form (PDF) (4 pp, 42K, About PDF) and mail or fax it to the address on the form.

Troubleshooting Guide for Small Ground Water Systems

The Troubleshooting Guide is a tool to help operators of small ground water systems identify and resolve operational problems. The Guide follows a systematic approach to identifying the components of a water system and suggesting steps to resolve problems. Each of the main physical components of a system is explained in a chapter, which also includes problems, possible causes, and solutions.

The Guide is in Adobe Acrobat format and can be downloaded (PDF) (104 pp, 1490K, About PDF) or obtained on a free CD-ROM from the EPA Water Resource Center (ask for EPA publication number EPA-816-C-00-002). You can request the guide (center.water-resource@epa.gov) by email or telephone (202-566-1729).

Security Vulnerability Self-Assessment Guides

The first Guide is designed for use by small water systems serving less than 3,300 people and is designed to help determine possible vulnerable areas, and to identify security enhancements that the utility should consider. Physical facilities pose a high degree of exposure to any security threat. This self-assessment can be conducted on all components of the system (wellhead or surface water intake, treatment plant, storage tanks, pumps, distribution system, and offices). The document includes an emergency contact list, and a phone threat identification checklist.

Download the Guide here: Security Vulnerability Self-Assessment Guide (PDF) (30 pp, 286K, About PDF) for systems serving less than 3,300.

A new vulnerability assessment guide targeted at community drinking water systems serving between 3,300 and 10,000 people is now available and is designed to help these systems complete vulnerability assessments required under the "Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002" (Bioterrorism Act). The updated guide was developed by ASDWA and NRWA to meet the basic requirements of a vulnerability assessment and will help small drinking water systems assess their critical components and identify security measures that should be implemented.

Download the Guide here: Security Vulnerability Self-Assessment Guide for Small Drinking Water Systems Serving Populations of 3,300 to 10,000 (PDF) (30 pp, 800K, About PDF)

Security Vulnerability Assessment for Water Systems

In 2002, Congress passed the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act (Public Law 107-188), commonly referred to as the Bioterrorism Act or BT Act. This law requires community water systems serving more than 3,300 persons to assess their vulnerability to an attack intended to disrupt the water supply.

This video, designed for small water systems, shows how to develop a vulnerability assessment through music and character-based scenarios. The video highlights the six basic elements common to all vulnerability assessments; and some vulnerability assessment tools available to small systems.

After viewing the video, the small water system should have a working knowledge of how to prepare a vulnerability assessment; know enough about a vulnerability assessment to ask informed questions if needing assistance from EPA Regional Offices, State Drinking Water Primacy Agencies, third party providers, or other resources that have been established to assist in preparing security vulnerability assessments; and, gain confidence in their ability to prepare and submit an assessment.

A version of the video is also available for water systems with populations under 3,300 to aid in assessment of their vulnerability.

The videos are available singly or as a 2-video set from the National Environmental, Safety, and Health Training Association (NESHTA) at no cost except for shipping and handling. You can print the order form (PDF) (4 pp, 42K, About PDF) and mail or fax it to the address on the form.

Cross-Connection Control Manual

Plumbing cross-connections, which are defined as actual or potential connections between a potable and non-potable water supply, constitute a serious public health hazard. There are numerous, well-documented cases where cross-connections have been responsible for contamination of drinking water, and have resulted in the spread of disease.

The Cross-Connection Control Manual has been designed as a tool for health officials, waterworks personnel, plumbers, and any others involved directly or indirectly in water supply distribution systems. It is intended to be used for educational, administrative, and technical reference in conducting cross-connection control programs. The manual can be downloaded here.

EPA Guidance Manual: Conducting Sanitary Surveys of Public Water Systems - Surface Water and GWUDI

The guidance manual is intended to help state agencies improve their sanitary survey programs where needed and to help ensure consistency in how surveys are conducted and documented across state sanitary survey programs. In addition, owners and operators of public water systems may find the information useful in the operation and management of their drinking water systems. The manual is organized around the four principal stages of a sanitary survey: planning the survey; conducting the on-site survey; compiling a sanitary survey report; and performing follow-up activities. The Sanitary Survey manual (PDF) (158 pp, 1.25 MB, About PDF) may be viewed online or downloaded.