The Application of Water Safety Plans and the Improvement of Rural Drinking Water Quality

Water Safety Plans (WSPs) brought forward by WHO applied the principles and concepts of risk management method. WSPs are powerful tools for water suppliers to manage supplying safe drinking water, and WSPs are also helpful for public health authorities in surveillance and administration. The improvement of drinking water quality and water safety can be protected by implementing WSPs in water supply facilities, and the standardized management can guarantee the feasibility of operation implemented in water supply system. WSPs consist of three key components: system assessment, identifying control measures and management plan. The basic concepts are: safe water supply is depending on systemic control of water quality from the source to user ends and the emphasis is bases on risk assessment and risk management in water supply system. This review described the principles and applications of WSPs and provided a methodological guide for actual application and ensuring drinking water quality.