Drinking Water Safety Plans
Graham Gagnon, Dalhousie University; Heather Castleden, Queen's University
Everyone wants to know that their tap water is safe to drink, however, risk will always be present in a complex system, and water treatment and delivery is no exception. Through sound management, risk can be controlled and reduced so that consumers can drink their tap water with confidence. Understanding how Drinking Water Safety Plans (DWSPs) impact individuals and communities requires a careful approach. The success of a new water policy is best achieved when people understand and support the outcome of that policy. Unlike surveys that only capture a small set of data, this research uses face-to-face in-depth interviews to learn about the experiences, thoughts and issues facing those directly involved with DWSPs.