Sanitary Surveys of Drinking Water Systems

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Learn more about the Division of Environmental Health

Third Party Qualified
Sanitary Surveyor (QSS) Program

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Washington state drinking water rules require all Group A public water systems to have a sanitary survey once every three to five years. The Department of Health Office of Drinking Water (ODW) conducts sanitary surveys. However, in some counties ODW contracts with local health jurisdictions (LHJ) or independent consultants to conduct the surveys and provide technical assistance. These contractors are called "third party qualified sanitary surveyors" (QSS).

In most counties, the LHJ serves as QSS. If the LHJ chooses not to participate, independent consultants serve as QSS.

ODW developed the Third Party Qualified Sanitary Surveyor Program to provide more cost-effective service by using local experts. The program provides the framework to train and qualify individuals who perform sanitary surveys or provide technical assistance on behalf of ODW.

The purpose of a sanitary survey is to identify problems that could disrupt a water system’s capacity to provide safe and reliable drinking water. A QSS does not correct problems or take enforcement actions. Instead, ODW uses information from the QSS reports to recommend improvements or take necessary enforcement actions.

Incidentally, a QSS with a vested interest in a particular water system cannot survey that system. A vested interest may include being a board member or owner, an employee, contract operator or even a customer of the system.

ODW maintains a list of professionals qualified to conduct sanitary surveys and provide assistance for water systems. Individuals on the list must agree to follow ODW processes and procedures. They also must meet minimum qualifications and complete ODW’s two-part third party QSS training program:

ODW signs an agreement with each person on the QSS list authorizing them to act on behalf of ODW. The individuals agree to meet two conditions:

1. They will follow established ODW processes and procedures for conducting sanitary surveys and providing technical assistance.
2. They, not their affiliated organizations, are the ones qualified to do sanitary surveys or provide technical assistance. As such, they are the only ones in their organizations who may actually do the inspections and act on behalf of the state.

If a QSS fails to meet these conditions, ODW will cancel the agreement and remove the individual’s name from the approved Third Party QSS list.

To be a third party qualified sanitary surveyor, an individual must:

• Meet Washington’s minimum registration or employment qualifications with drinking water expertise. Jobs that qualify a person to work as a QSS include professional engineer, engineer-in-training, water-distribution manager level 2 or greater, water-treatment plant operator level 2 or greater, registered sanitarian, or environmental health specialist.
• Complete a Third Party QSS application form.
• Attend ODW Third Party QSS training sessions.
• Maintain ODW Third Party QSS qualifications by attending refresher training at least once every three years.

Available refresher training includes the QSS Phase I and Phase II training series or classes and seminars that meet the Washington relevancy training criteria for certified operators. If a QSS has already attended the QSS Phase I and Phase II training series, ODW recommends one of the classes offered for certified operators.

A QSS who attends certified operator training must register as a Third Party QSS to receive refresher-training credit. He or she must send proof of attendance to Jim Harksen, Office of Drinking Water, PO Box 47822, Olympia, Washington, 98504-7822.

The training calendar is updated quarterly. Look under "Training Links" for up-to-date course schedules.

Call the Office of Drinking Water at (800) 521-0323 or the:

Staff Contacts

Application Form for Third Party QSS (Word 251 KB)

Customer Service Feedback Form (Word 33KB)

Pre-Survey Data Packet. Log into Sentry Internet and click on "Downloads/Reports"

Recommended References to carry in the field

Group A Small Water System Sanitary Survey Checklist

Field Safety Manual (PDF 381 KB)

More publications are available through our on-line publication catalog

Staff Contacts

Southwest Regional Office
Denise Grant
(360) 236-3028

Northwest Regional Office
Brian Boye
(253-395-6778

Eastern Regional Office
Danielle Finley
(509) 456-2826

Headquarters
Training and Outreach
Jim Harksen
(360) 236-3180

Headquarters
Constituent Relations
Karen Valenzuela
(360) 236-2138

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Dept. of Health Office of Drinking Water 243 Israel Road S.E. 2nd floor Tumwater, WA 98501

Mail: P.O. Box 47822 Olympia, WA 98504-7822 (360) 236-3100

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Last Update : 10/04/2007 11:02 AM