Application of HACCP for Distribution System Protection

The purpose of this project was to evaluate the application of the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) system, a risk management tool, to better protect water quality in distribution systems.

HACCP was first conceived in 1959 by the Pillsbury Company to improve food safety for NASA's manned space missions.

Since the 1980s, HACCP has been widely adopted by the food and beverage industry worldwide, where it forms an important part of their food safety plans.

Since the mid-1990s, HACCP has been applied by a number of individual drinking water systems and has been incorporated into many drinking water regulatory requirements and guidelines around the globe.

The HACCP system complements the current U.S. approach to managing distribution system water quality centered on water quality monitoring and regulatory compliance.

It will help utilities focus resources on key risks and improve emphasis on operational processes and controls.

The recommended approach is to implement quality assurance programs such as HACCP prior to experiencing waterborne disease outbreaks or other contamination events.

A recommended first step is to improve utility programs to meet the AWWA Standard G200-Distribution Systems Operation and Maintenance.

The utility may then consider implementing ISO 9001 and 14001 or an integrated management system.