Skip directly to main content.

Public Health Risk Management Plans

 

Public Health Risk Management Plans (PHRMPs) have become an accepted water supply management tool. They form the basis of compliance with existing Drinking Water Standards and legislation proposed by the Ministry of Health (MoH).

Opus International Consultants (Opus) does not believe that PHRMPs should be written simply to satisfy a drinking water regulator. As a leader in asset management services, we strongly encourage an approach to PHRMPs that is compatible with risk management techniques that advance asset management and operational services. A PHRMP will also identify opportunities to achieve efficiencies and to improve levels of service. It is one further component of good water supply asset management.

Opus can provide a service to help water suppliers of all sizes to prepare PHRMPs that achieve additional benefits to the outcomes prescribed by MoH.. It is imperative that PHRMPs are owned and used by all contributors to the risk identification process. This may involve Regional Council representatives, environmental health officers, asset managers, maintenance contractors and treatment plant operators.

To achieve maximum benefit, it is best to prepare this document as if it is a Water Supply Risk Management Plan - incorporating public health risk. In other words, the consequences of any risks need not be confined to public health and there should be acknowledgement that a water supply provides other important services in addition to public health protection.

Our recommended process involves:

  • Definition of the extent of the assessment – the supplies and the processes;
  • Confirmation of all participants in the risk identification process;
  • Facilitation of workshops involving the key participants relevant to the processes under consideration;
  • Preparation of draft documentation for review by all participants;
  • Risk evaluation and preparation of improvement plans;
  • Preparation of final PHRMP;
  • Circulation to participants; and
  • Regular review of status of improvement plan and actions completed.

Opus can help with all stages – noting that we acknowledge the need to ultimately produce documents that are owned by the water supplier and implemented by the water supplier.

Why choose Opus?

We offer personnel who:

  • Have considerable experience with the preparation of PHRMPs;
  • Are responsible for training the MoH Drinking Water Assessors;
  • Have water supply operational and asset management experience;
  • Have facilitation skills;
  • Can identify risks and solutions based on the experience and observation of water supplies throughout New Zealand; and
  • Have participated on the New Zealand Drinking Water Standards (NZDWS) Expert Committee.

Our track record is extensive, and our approach has been positively received by the participants of the many workshops we have held.

The first PHRMP was prepared for Masterton District Council as an outcome of the cryptosporidium incident in 2003. Since this time, Opus has worked with Rodney, Franklin, Thames Coromandel, Whakatane, Hauraki, Rotorua, Taupo and Gisborne District Councils and with Metrowater (Auckland).

With our strong background in PHRMPs, we are eager to discuss methods and approaches that are best suited to your water supply and it’s operations.

Show all Public Health Risk Management Plans Project Profiles

Masterton District Council, New Zealand

A PHRMP was prepared following the cryptosporidium event linked to the Masterton urban water supply in 2003. This plan identified a prioritised series of improvements that involved operational and planning functions as well as potential capital expenditure. It also identified existing risk mitigation measures that need to be retained.  The plan was required as a condition of lifting a Boil Water Notice.

Whakatane District Council, New Zealand

Using a workshop approach, risks were identified for the urban water supply in Whakatane, and the PHRMP was completed. The improvement plan has been used as a basis for focussing expenditure, and for reviewing management systems. Similar workshops were held to address water supply risks in the smaller communities of Plains, Matata, Waimana, Taneatua, Te Mahoe, Ruatoki and Murupara.

Rotorua District Council, New Zealand

PHRMPs have been completed for the Central, Eastern, Ngongotaha and Rotoma supplies. Three of these supplies are spring fed, and may ultimately need additional treatment processes. The risk identification process was strongly supported by the Council’s asset management and operational staff.

Taupo District Council, New Zealand

Taupo District Council requested that PHRMPS were completed for Taupo Central, Turangi, Kinloch and Mangakino water supplies. The process of facilitated workshops for risk identification, the use of risk ranking templates specifically customised for Taupo, followed by standardised formats for documentation of these PHRMPs, is intended to allow them to complete further PHRMPs for the many other supplies in the District using a similar model.