Health risks related to water, sanitation and staff interventions

Water-borne diseases are among the leading drivers of epidemics and mortality worldwide, sometimes over very long time scales. Mitigating risks of bacteriological and chemical contamination of water, and ensuring effective and efficient water treatment and transport infrastructure, is a major challenge globally. Building knowledge of sources of contamination, procedures, intervention methods and infrastructure protection systems is essential. Likewise, staff working in the water sector are exposed to numerous risks. They can become contaminated and contract water-borne diseases. Sometimes, they are required to work on hazardous infrastructure, in confined spaces or in toxic atmospheres, to take care when handling reagents, and to work on highly specialised electrical and electro-technical equipment. For this reason, it is vital that staff know the rules governing their work. In some cases, countries will need to prepare or update standards and recommendations.