Where a risk-based approach (RBA) had been implemented, it was perceived by interviewees as beneficial and a positive experience. According to one operator in a small water supply, “RBA is just an advantage, control over ourselves and work practices.” It improves documentation, emergency preparedness and resilience in crises.
RBA is required across the Nordic countries and have been in regulation for around ten years in all countries except Iceland where it has been in legislation for 30 years and practiced since 1997. WHO has been advocating the Water Safety Plan in its drinking water quality guidelines since 2004, which includes RBA. However, implementation of RBA is concentrated on larger systems and is seen as difficult to implement in small water supplies.
Around 40% of regulated water supplies were required to implement RBA under previous legislation, but implementation was lacking or progress unknown when studied in 2020. The 2020 directive (EU 2020/2184) with increased demand for RBA has only recently been implemented into legislation in several Nordic EU countries and the RBA progress in these countries is unknown. The main barrier for implementation in small supplies was considered by interviewees to be the lack of simple, context-appropriate templates and guidance. Other factors often mentioned were lack of staff; or relying on voluntary staff, insufficient knowledge and therefore little understanding of risk; and both lack of availability of courses and continuous training in risks to water safety. The requirement for training of water supply operators is found in the legislation in Åland, Denmark, Finland and Norway whereas it is lacking in the other Nordic countries. Lack of guidance, resources and support from the authorities to the small water supplies was also often referred to by interviewees.
Solutions emphasized by interviewees consisted of providing guidelines and support in plain‑language; RBA templates specifically designed for small supplies and with a pilot project for demonstration; periodic training of staff; and support for cross‑country cooperation and benchmarking among small supplies. Interviewees suggested that legislation should include a requirement for training and an external regular audit of the RBA by the surveillance authority.