ISBN 978-0-626-

SANS 241-2:2011
Edition 1

SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL STANDARD

Drinking water

Part 2: Application of SANS 241-1

WARNING — Can only be used in

conjunction with SANS 241-1

Published by SABS Standards Division

1 Dr Lategan Road Groenkloof Private Bag X191 Pretoria 0001
Tel: +27 12 428 7911 Fax: +27 12 344 1568
www.sabs.co.za
© SABS
SANS 241-2:2011
Edition 1

Table of changes
Change No. Date Scope

Foreword
This South African standard was approved by the National Committee SABS TC 147, Water, in
accordance with procedures of the SABS Standards Division, in compliance with annex 3 of the
WTO/TBT agreement.

This document was published in Xxxxxxx 2011.

This document supersedes SANS 241:2006 (edition 6.1).

This document is referenced in the Water Services Act, 1997 (Act No. 108 of 1997):
Regulations relating to the compulsory national standards and measures to conserve water,
as published by Government Notice No. 509 (Government Gazette No. 22355) of 8 June 2001.

Reference is made in clause 8 to the "relevant national body". In South Africa this means the South
African Water Research Commission.

SANS 241 consists of the following parts, under the general title Drinking water:

Part 1: Microbiological, physical, aesthetic and chemical determinands.

Part 2: Application of SANS 241-1.

Annex A is for information only.

 SANS 241-2:2011
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Contents
Page
Foreword

1 Scope .................................................................................................................................... 3

2 Normative references ............................................................................................................ 4

3 Definitions .............................................................................................................................. 4

4 Water quality risk assessments ............................................................................................. 6

4.1 General .......................................................................................................................... 6

4.2 Requirements for water quality risk assessments ......................................................... 6
4.3 Interpretation of water quality risk assessments ............................................................ 7

5 Routine monitoring ................................................................................................................ 8

5.1 General .......................................................................................................................... 8

5.2 Sample points ................................................................................................................ 8
5.3 Determinands and frequency of analyses ..................................................................... 8

5.3.1 Routine quality programmes ................................................................................... 8

5.3.2 Monitoring activity 1 – Routine monitoring of process indicators .............................. 8
5.3.3 Monitoring activity 2 – Follow-up on the risk assessment ........................................ 10
5.3.4 Monitoring at desalination systems .......................................................................... 10
5.3.5 Monitoring at reclamation systems .......................................................................... 10

6 Response monitoring ............................................................................................................ 10

6.1 Incident management of drinking water quality failures ................................................. 10

6.2 Microbiological determinands ........................................................................................ 11
6.3 Chemical, physical, aesthetic and operational determinands ........................................ 11

7 Verification of water quality ................................................................................................... 11

7.1 General; ......................................................................................................................... 11

7.2 Calculation of risk assessment defined indices ............................................................. 11
7.3 Calculation of annual drinking water quality indices ....................................................... 12

7.3.1 General ................................................................................................................... 12

7.3.2 Tier 1 ....................................................................................................................... 12
7.3.3 Tier 2 ....................................................................................................................... 13

7.4 Performance of water supply systems ........................................................................... 13

8 Requirements for water safety plans ..................................................................................... 14

Annex A (informative) Calculation of compliance with this part of SANS 241 ........................ 15

Bibliography .............................................................................................................................. 23

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Drinking water

Part 2:
Application of SANS 241-1

1 Scope
1.1 This part of SANS 241 prescribes how to achieve the numerical limits specified in SANS 241-1 and
is applicable to all water services institutions and water services intermediaries. Assessment of the fitness
for use of drinking water against the determinands and numerical limits specified in SANS 241-1 provides
the minimum assurance necessary that the water is deemed to present an acceptable health risk for
lifetime consumption.

1.2 This part of SANS 241 addresses the evaluation of water quality risks, monitoring and verification of
water quality to enable the management of the identified water quality risks. It is not intended to provide a
comprehensive water management plan, which is required for the implementation of a water safety plan
that addresses related issues such as water quantity, finance and maintenance.

1.3 It provides the key elements for implementing management actions to comply with SANS 241-1,
which include the following:

a) water quality risk assessment – assessment of risk from intake water through the treatment works
to the point of delivery;

b) routine monitoring – establishment and implementation of operational and compliance water

quality monitoring programmes, including the location of sampling points, sampling frequency and
determinands;

c) response monitoring – incident management and monitoring of drinking water quality when the
numerical limits specified in SANS 241-1 are exceeded;

d) verification of water quality – calculation of compliance with the numerical limits in SANS 241-1;
and

e) a water safety plan – incorporation of the outcomes in (a) to (d) above.

1.4 The provision of water deemed to have an acceptable health risk as defined by SANS 241-1
remains the ultimate responsibility of the water services institution and water services intermediary. Site
specific conditions and complexity of the water supply system might, however, necessitate adaptations to
the minimum requirements specified in SANS 241. Water services institutions and water services
intermediaries use a risk-based management approach to justify any adaptations to these minimum
requirements, to ensure that safe drinking water is produced at all times and that public health is
protected.

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2 Normative references

The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies. Information on currently valid national and international
standards can be obtained from the SABS Standards Division.

SANS 241-1:2011, Drinking water – Part 1: Microbiological, physical, aesthetic and chemical determinands.

World Health Organization (WHO), Guidelines for drinking-water quality, Third edition incorporating the
first and second agenda, Volume 1, Recommendations, 2008. 1)

3 Definitions
For the purposes of this document, the definitions and abbreviations given in SANS 241-1 and the
following apply.

3.1
acceptable drinking water
water deemed to have an acceptable health risk as defined by SANS 241-1, i.e. water that is considered
to be safe for lifetime consumption implying an average consumption of 2 L of water per day for 70 years
by a person that weighs 60 kg

3.2
contracted bulk customer
water services authority that receives water in bulk from a water services provider

3.3
critical control point
step at which control can be applied and that is essential to prevent or eliminate a water safety hazard
(biological, chemical or physical), with potential to cause health effect or reduce it to an acceptable level

3.4
distribution zone
specific area supplied from a borehole, treatment system, reservoir or tower

3.5
intake water
raw water
untreated water abstracted from dams, rivers, groundwater, and brackish or salty water

3.6
final water
water that emanates from a treatment process (including groundwater, after disinfection)

3.7
point of delivery
physical fixed interface between a water services provider or a water services authority (or both) and a
customer

1) Available at <http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/dwq/guidelines/en/index.html>.

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3.8
risk assessment
process of identifying and documenting all potential hazards and risks within the water supply system

3.8.1
hazard
determinand with the potential to cause an adverse health effect or to affect the quality of the water

3.8.2
risk
likelihood and consequence of the presence of an identified hazard in the final water at values that
exceed the numerical limits specified in this part of SANS 241

3.9
routine monitoring programme
ongoing monitoring programme intended to validate the effectiveness of control measures at critical
control points and to assess the quality of water based on the location of routine sampling points,
sampling frequency and determinands

3.10
routine sampling point
identifiable sampling point within the routine monitoring programme where a representative sample is
collected to determine water quality

NOTE In a water safety plan routine sampling points are typically located at critical control points to monitor the
efficiency of individual process units in a multiple barrier treatment system.

3.11
sampling frequency
time interval between consecutive sampling events at a specific sampling point or the number of samples
taken over a given period

3.12
verification of water quality
assessment of compliance with the numerical limits specified in SANS 241-1

3.13
water safety plan
systematic process that aims to consistently ensure acceptable drinking water quality that does not
exceed the numerical limits in SANS 241-1 by implementing an integrated water quality management
plan, which includes a risk assessment and risk management approach from catchment to point of
delivery

3.14
water supply system
geographically defined area within which water intended for human consumption may come from one or
more sources and within which the water quality may be regarded as being approximately uniform

3.15
water treatment system
process or combination of processes undertaken to render intake water acceptable for drinking as defined
in SANS 241-1 that includes conventional treatment plants, disinfection of groundwater or any other
process used for treating water to an acceptable drinking water quality

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4 Water quality risk assessments

4.1 General
The purpose of this type of risk assessment is to assess risks that might be encountered throughout the
supply chain, including intake water, treatment systems, bulk distribution, and distribution zones up to the
point of delivery. Emanating from the risk assessment and pending the nature of the risks identified,
adequate monitoring of the identified risks and also the necessary corrective and verification measures
shall be put in place.

4.2 Requirements for water quality risk assessments

4.2.1 For the purposes of this type of assessment it is accepted that if a water services institution or
water services intermediary is able to comply with the drinking water quality numerical limits specified in
SANS 241-1 on a sustained basis, it will provide water that is deemed acceptable for lifetime consumption.

A risk assessment entails the identification and documentation of all potential hazards and risks within the
water supply system.

4.2.2 Risks are quantified by assessing the value of each determinand over the period of review against
the numerical limit specified in SANS 241-1. It should be noted that during a risk assessment it is
necessary to analyse for all the water quality determinands listed in tables 1 and 2 of SANS 241-1:2011 as
well as any additional determinands anticipated to be in the water that are not listed in SANS 241-1.
Consideration should thus be given to catchment land uses and activities that might result in hazards not
specified in SANS 241-1. Analysis on intake waters should exclude those determinands formed only after
treatment.

Hazards are grouped according to the impact on human health and quality of the water, namely (see
SANS 241-1:2011, tables 1 and 2):

a) determinands with acute impacts such as bacteria, viruses, protozoa and chemicals which, if present,
at certain unacceptable levels can result in an immediate health risk or consequence;

b) determinands with chronic health effects including those that pose a health threat if ingested over an
extended period at levels exceeding the numerical limits listed in tables 1 and 2 of SANS 241-1:2011;

c) organic or radionuclide contaminants that are identified as a risk (see 4.3.5 or 4.3.6 of
SANS 241-1:2011);

d) determinands that have aesthetic impacts such as taste, odour and colour; and

e) determinands of operational importance such as total coliforms, turbidity, conductivity, pH and

disinfectant residuals.

4.2.3 A water quality risk assessment shall provide information on water quality at the following locations:
a) water abstracted for purification (intake water);

b) water emanating from a treatment plant (final water);

c) representative points of delivery from water services providers; and

d) representative points of delivery to consumers.

4.2.4 The risk assessment should be conducted

a) at a frequency that ensures that all spatial and temporal risks are apparent (minimum annually). Water
quality risk assessments should cover periods when the most unacceptable intake water quality is
anticipated or during peak demand to determine site-specific water quality risks, and

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b) in the event of the following situations:

a) occurrence of any change in the intake water supply that might affect the ability of the water
services institution or water services intermediary to comply with SANS 241;

b) after a failure of any component of the treatment process that might affect the ability of the water
services institution or water services intermediary to comply with SANS 241;

c) a new treatment system is put into service;

d) a refurbished treatment system is recommissioned;

e) a new distribution system is put into service; and

f) a distribution zone is altered or recommissioned such that full information on all spatial and
temporal risks is not available.

4.3 Interpretation of water quality risk assessments

Results of analyses shall be interpreted as follows and used to adapt monitoring accordingly:

a) If the determinand exceeds the numerical limit specified in SANS 241-1 in both the intake and final
water, it implies that the existing treatment infrastructure is incapable of removing the determinand.
Appropriate treatment infrastructure shall be installed or the existing infrastructure shall be optimized
to ensure that the numerical limit for the required water quality determinand is met. The determinand
shall be included in monitoring activity 2 (see 5.3.3) while monitoring activity 1 is sustained.

b) If the determinand that exceeds the numerical limit in the intake water is removed to the extent that it
complies with SANS 241-1 in the final water, it implies that the installed infrastructure is adequate to
address the problem. To verify that ongoing optimized operations of infrastructure are sustained,
include the determinand in monitoring activity 2 while sustaining monitoring activity 1.

c) If both intake and final water complies with the numerical limits specified in SANS 241-1, risks are
deemed within acceptable limits. While maintaining monitoring activity 1, analyses for the remaining
determinands listed in SANS 241-1 shall be performed at a minimum annually as part of the risk
assessment.

d) If the intake water complies with the numerical limits specified in SANS 241-1, and the final water
does not, it implies that a determinand has been added to the water during the treatment process.
Aluminium, iron, disinfectant residuals, ammonia and trihalomethanes are typical examples relating
to operational processes and the type of treatment chemicals used. The treatment process shall be
optimized and these determinands shall be included in monitoring activity 1.

e) Determinands that deteriorate between the input points to contracted bulk customers and the
distribution delivery points to customers to the extent that they exceed the numerical limits given in
SANS 241-1, shall be included in monitoring activity 2 while monitoring activity 1 is sustained.

As major benefit of water safety plans, to verify continued compliance with the numerical limits in
SANS 241-1:2011, tables 1 and 2, water services institutions and water services intermediaries shall not
be required to continually test for all individual water quality determinands listed in tables 1 and 2 of
SANS 241-1:2011 if compliance are confirmed by evidence that the efficiency of water treatment units in a
treatment system continuously ensure that the numerical limits of SANS 241-1 are met.

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5 Routine monitoring
5.1 General
All water services institutions and water services intermediaries shall implement a water quality monitoring
programme. The monitoring programme comprises the following two activities, both of which need to be
implemented:

a) Activity 1 (Routine monitoring) shall be implemented and adhered to as outlined in 5.3.2 and tables 1
and 2.

b) Activity 2 (Follow-up on the risk assessment) shall be implemented for those determinands identified
during the risk assessment as outlined in 5.3.3 and table 3.

5.2 Sampling points

Sampling points shall be selected in a manner that will ensure that the quality of the water can be verified
throughout the entire water supply chain. Sampling points shall, at minimum, include the following as
applicable to the water supply system:

a) intake water;

b) final water;

c) representative points of delivery; and

d) representative sample points within the distribution zone to ensure 80% coverage of the water supply
system. Each distribution zone shall be monitored at its furthest supply point. All distribution zones,
including outlets from reservoirs and towers, shall be included in the monitoring programme.

5.3 Determinands and frequency of analyses

5.3.1 Routine quality programmes

Routine water quality programmes shall include the monitoring activities as specified in 5.3.2 to 5.3.5.

5.3.2 Monitoring activity 1 — Routine monitoring of process indicators

The analysis of water quality determinands shall comply with table 1, which is the minimum requirement for
characterizing intake water quality, ongoing levels of operational efficiency in a water treatment system and
acceptable final water quality to the point of delivery. For the distribution system, the provisions in table 2
shall also apply.

Owing to the reduced variability of water quality in groundwater supply systems, monthly analyses shall be
deemed adequate provided that no health-related determinands are detected at levels exceeding the
numerical limits in SANS 241-1 during the risk assessment. In such an event, the requirements of 5.3.3
shall also apply.

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Table 1 — Minimum monitoring for process indicators

1 2 3 4
Minimum monitoring frequency
Determinand
Intake water Final water Distribution system
Conductivity or total dissolved solids Daily Daily Not applicable
pH value Daily Once per shift a Fortnightly
Turbidity Daily Once per shift Fortnightly
Disinfectant residuals b Not applicable Once per shift Fortnightly
Fortnightly but dependent on
E. coli (or faecal coliforms) c Not applicable Weekly d
population served
Heterotrophic plate count c Not applicable Weekly Fortnightly
Treatment chemicals Not applicable Weekly Fortnightly
a
A shift is defined as an eight hour work period.
b
Disinfection shall be sustained at a value defined by the water services institution and water services
intermediary throughout the distribution system such that the water services institution and water
services intermediary ensure that all microbiological indicators listed in SANS 241-1:2011, table 1, are
achieved on a continuous basis.
c
If non-compliant with the numerical limits specified in SANS 241-1, implement corrective action and
instigate immediate follow-up sampling at an increased sampling frequency.
d
See table 2.

Monitoring frequency for E. coli (or faecal coliforms) within the distribution system shall at minimum be in
accordance with the requirements set out in table 2, provided that the water services institution and water
services intermediary are able to provide an appropriate guarantee that the water complies with the
numerical limits specified in SANS 241-1.

Table 2 — Minimum sample numbers for E. coli (or faecal coliforms) in distribution systems

1 2
a
Population served Total number of samples per month
Minimum
< 5 000 2
5 000 to 100 000 1 per 5 000 head of population
100 000 to 500 000 1 per 10 000 head of population
≥ 500 000 1 per 20 000 head of population
a
During the rainy season, sampling should be carried out more frequently to ensure that all spatial and
temporal risks are apparent.

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5.3.3 Monitoring activity 2 — Follow-up on the risk assessment

5.3.3.1 Activity 2 requires additional monitoring of all determinands identified in the risk assessment
(see 4.3) that might result in non-compliance with the numerical limits specified in SANS 241-1. To verify that
ongoing optimized operations of infrastructure are sustained, determinands detected in the raw and final
water that exceed the numerical limits specified in SANS 241-1, shall be monitored at the frequencies
indicated in table 3.

Table 3 — Frequency of analyses for determinands identified during the risk assessment exceeding
the numerical limits in SANS 241-1

1 2 3 4
Risk Frequency Infrastructure optimization Infrastructure change
Acute health – 1 Weekly
Acute health – 2 Monthly If problem is not resolved,
Ensure optimized functioning of
Chronic health Monthly obtain necessary
infrastructure
infrastructure
Aesthetic Monthly
Operational Weekly

5.3.3.2 The monitoring frequencies given in table 3 also apply to determinands that deteriorate between
the points of delivery (input points to contracted bulk customers and the distribution delivery points to
customers) to the extent that the determinands exceed the numerical limits specified in SANS 241-1.

5.3.3.3 Monitoring for all determinands included under activity 2 shall continue until such time that the
water services institution or water services intermediary can substantiate that the identified determinand
no longer constitutes an unacceptable risk.

5.3.4 Monitoring of desalination systems

Final drinking water from desalination plants shall comply with the numerical limits specified in SANS 241-1.
In applying SANS 241-1 account shall, however, be taken of significant differences between desalination
systems and systems abstracting water from freshwater sources. The risk assessment shall account for
these differences and changes shall be made accordingly to the routine monitoring programme.

5.3.5 Monitoring of reclamation systems

Final drinking water from reclamation water supply systems shall comply with the numerical limits specified
in SANS 241-1. In applying SANS 241-1 to reclamation water supply systems, account shall be taken of the
relatively high risk for microbiological contamination. Apart from an increased requirement for testing for
E. coli / faecal coliforms, the monitoring programme shall also include more resistant microbiological
determinands such as viruses and protozoan parasites at frequencies recommended in tables 1 to 3 to verify
that the drinking water complies with the specifications in SANS 241-1. Indicators not listed in SANS 241-1,
shall comply with values stated in the World Health Organization (WHO) Guidelines for drinking-water
quality.

6 Response monitoring
6.1 Incident management of drinking water quality failures
When a result from a drinking water sample exceeds the numerical limits in tables 1 or 2 of
SANS 241-1:2011, further investigation and corrective action are required. The adverse risk to consumers
increases with an increased deviation of the result from the numerical limits listed in SANS 241-1. The
nature and urgency of the corrective actions required shall be guided by the impact of the non-compliant
determinand(s).

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6.2 Microbiological determinands

Remedial action and non-routine follow-up sampling are required for any determinand that exceeds the
numerical limits specified in table 1 of SANS 241-1:2011. A resolution to the problem shall be implemented
in the shortest time. The increased sampling frequency shall continue until such time as results are
compliant. The water safety plan shall include an incident management protocol for the management of
drinking water quality failures.

6.3 Chemical, physical, aesthetic and operational determinands

Remedial action and non-routine follow-up sampling are required for any acute or chronic health chemical
determinand that exceeds the numerical limits specified in table 2 of SANS 241-1:2011.

While non-compliance with the physical, operational and aesthetic numerical limits does not necessarily
imply that the water is unacceptable for human consumption, it does indicate potential shortcomings that
require resampling and implementation of corrective action in the treatment and distribution processes.

7 Verification of water quality

7.1 General
For optimal management of water quality, it is important to distinguish between risk assessment defined
and the annual verification of water quality compliance. Only validated analytical results shall be used for
compliance verification purposes.

NOTE See annex A for examples of verification calculations.

7.2 Calculation of risk assessment defined indices (see A.2)

The overall drinking water quality performance shall first be verified by calculating compliance of all the
determinands identified during the risk assessment process and monitored on final to distribution waters.
This includes the monitoring of activity 1 determinands and also determinands included under the
monitoring of activity 2. The verification of risk assessment defined determinand water quality is
accomplished by a two-tier system of indices.

Risk-defined tier 1 is required to calculate compliance with SANS 241-1. Risk-defined tier 2 is required to
establish operational efficiencies. The two indices shall be calculated as follows:

a) Risk-defined tier 1: A is the risk-defined tier 1 for all determinands identified during the risk
assessment with an associated health effect (acute or chronic (or both)) using equation 1 as follows:

DA
A= × 100 (1)
DA total

where

DA is the total number of results for all the determinands with an associated health
effect complying with the numerical limits;

DA total is the total number of tests conducted for all determinands with an associated health
effect included above.

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b) Risk-defined tier 2: B is the risk-defined tier 2 for all operational determinands using equation 2 as
follows:

DB
B= × 100 (2)
DB total

where

DB is the total number of operational results complying with numerical limits;

DB total is the total number of operational tests conducted for all determinands included
above.

7.3 Calculation of annual drinking water quality indices (refer annex A.2)

7.3.1 General
The overall drinking water quality performance shall be calculated annually against all the determinands
monitored on the final to distribution waters. The annual water quality verification is accomplished by a
two-tier system of indices.

Tier 1 is required for calculating compliance with SANS 241-1. Tier 2 is required to address the risk
associated with acute health – 2 determinands that are presently not easily quantifiable and lack
information pertaining to viability and human infectivity. These determinands, however, pose immediate
health risks if consumed with water.

7.3.2 Tier 1
The four composite performance indicators shall be calculated as follows:

a) Acute health – 1 microbiological: A is the indicator for all the acute health – 1 microbiological
determinands (E. coli or faecal coliforms) using equation 3 as follows:

DA
A= × 100 (3)
DA total

where

DA is the total number of E. coli or faecal coliform results complying with the numerical
limits;

DA total is the total number of tests conducted for E. coli or faecal coliforms.

b) Acute health – 1 chemical: B is the indicator for all the acute health – 1 chemical determinands using
equation 4 as follows:

DA
B= × 100 (4)
DA total

where

DA is the total number of acute health – 1 chemical results complying with the numerical
limits;

DA total is the total number of tests conducted for the acute health – 1 chemical determinands.

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c) Chronic health: C is the indicator for all chronic health determinands using equation 5 as follows:

DB
C= × 100 (5)
DB total

where

DB is the total number of chronic health results complying with the numerical limits;

DB total is the total number of chronic health tests conducted for all determinands included
above.

d) Aesthetic: D is the indicator for all aesthetic determinands using equation 6 as follows:

DC
D= × 100 (6)
DC total

where

DC is the total number of aesthetic results complying with the numerical limits;

DC total is the total number of aesthetic tests conducted for all determinands included above.

7.3.3 Tier 2

7.3.3.1 The following determinands shall be included as separate key performance indicators and
therefore evaluated individually:

a) Cytopathogenic viruses;

b) Cryptosporidium species; and

c) Giardia species.

7.3.3.2 The following information shall be provided for the assessment period:

a) the total number of tests for each determinand carried out; and

b) the total number of results for each determinand that complies with the applicable numerical limits.

7.4 Performance of water supply systems

The performance of water supply systems shall be categorized according to the percentage of samples
complying and the population served according to table 4.

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Table 4 — Categorization of water supply systems based on performance

1 2 3 4
Proportion of compliant samples
Quality of the water %
Performance indicator
supply system Population size
Up to 100 000 > 100 000
Excellent ≥ 95 ≥ 97
Risk-defined health (acute or
chronic) Good ≥ 93 ≥ 95
Unacceptable < 93 < 95

Excellent ≥ 93 ≥ 95
Risk-defined operational (final to
distribution waters) Good ≥ 90 ≥ 93
Unacceptable < 90 < 93

Excellent ≥ 97 ≥ 99
Acute health – 1 microbiological
(E. coli or faecal coliforms) Good ≥ 95 ≥ 97
Unacceptable < 95 < 97

Excellent ≥ 97 ≥ 99
Acute health – 1 chemical Good ≥ 95 ≥ 97
Unacceptable < 95 < 97

Excellent ≥ 95 ≥ 97
Chronic health Good ≥ 93 ≥ 95
Unacceptable < 93 < 95

Excellent ≥ 93 ≥ 95
Aesthetic Good ≥ 90 ≥ 93
Unacceptable < 90 < 93

8 Requirements for water safety plans

It is the current international view that the use of a comprehensive risk assessment and also a risk
management approach, which includes all steps of the supply chain from catchment to the point of
delivery, is the most effective means of consistently ensuring the safety of drinking water supplies.

Water services institutions and water services intermediaries shall therefore establish, implement and
maintain water safety plans. Guidance on such plans is available from the World Health Organization and
the relevant national body (see foreword). Water safety plans are integrated water quality management
plans that embrace the hazard assessment and critical control point (HACCP) and multiple-barrier
principles and shall, when established, implemented and maintained, ensure treated drinking water of a
quality that complies with the requirements in SANS 241-1.
NOTE Water services institutions and water services intermediaries should “move away from the mindset of
monitoring to verify the quality of water with the assumption that the water is safe, toward one of monitoring to detect
contamination most effectively with the knowledge that contamination potential is always present. This requires
information that will increase the understanding of the entire water supply chain and provide improved insight on
hazards, risks, treatment performance and overall vulnerability of the water supply chain (see Strategic water quality
monitoring for drinking water safety).

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Annex A
(informative)

Calculation of compliance with this part of SANS 241

A.1 General
The numbers in tables A.1 to A.7 are given for the purpose of demonstrating the verification calculations
only. The monitoring frequencies according to routine monitoring activities 1 and 2 were applied against
the number of critical control points on the final to distribution waters listed in these tables. The water
supply system serves a population of 105 000.

Each water services institution and water services intermediary should design monitoring programmes
using the risk-based approach. It is important to note that owing to the method and cost of analyses,
monitoring of some determinands listed in SANS 241-1 could differ according to each critical control point.

The calculation of risk assessment defined indices is a means to determine the efficacy of the water safety
plan process within a water supply system.

A.2 Risk assessment defined indices

A.2.1 Risk-defined tier 1
Table A.1 provides an example of compliance calculations for a system that provides water to more
than 100 000 people, but less than 500 000 people.

A.2.2 Risk-defined tier 2

Table A.2 provides an example of compliance calculations for a system that provides water to more
than 100 000 people.

A.3 Annual drinking water quality indices

A.3.1 Tier 1
A.3.1.1 Acute health – 1 microbiological
Table A.3 provides an example of an acute health – 1 microbiological compliance calculation for a system
that provides water to more than 100 000 people.

A.3.1.2 Acute health – 1 chemical

Table A.4 provides an example of acute health – 1 chemical compliance calculations for a system that
provides water to more than 100 000 people.

A.3.1.3 Chronic health

Table A.5 provides an example of chronic health compliance calculations for a system that provides water to
more than 100 000 people.

A.3.1.4 Aesthetic
Table A.6 provides an example of aesthetic compliance calculations for a system that provides water to
more than 100 000 people.

A.3.2 Tier 2
Table A.7 provides an example of acute health – 2 compliance information.

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SANS 241-2:2011
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Table A.1 — Example of compliance calculations for a system that provides water to more than 100 000 people, but less than 500 000 people
— Determinands identified during the risk assessment with an associated health effect (acute or chronic (or both))

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Total
No. of
No. of No. of Required Compliance
critical
Determinand Risk Requirements Calculation tests compliant compliance achieved Compliant
control
(per results % %
points
annum)
1 × final water (monitored weekly);
5 points within distribution
(monitored fortnightly) – total no.
E. coli Acute health – 1 6 of samples to also meet the 1 per (1×52)+(5×26) 182 169 92,9 No
10 000 head of population
samples per month requirement
as minimum
1 × final water and 3 points within
Nitrate Acute health – 1 4 4×52 208 200 96,2 No
distribution; monitored weekly
1 × final water and 3 points within
Fluoride Chronic health 4 4×12 48 48 100,0 Yes
distribution; monitored monthly
1 × final water and 3 points within
Copper Chronic health 4 4×12 48 47 97,9 Yes
distribution; monitored monthly 97
1 × final water and 3 points within
Cyanide Acute health – 1 4 4×52 208 170 81,7 No
distribution; monitored weekly
Uranium Chronic health 1 1 × final water monitored monthly 1×12 12 12 100,0 Yes
1 × final water and 3 points within
Chloroform Chronic health 4 4×12 48 47 97,9 Yes
distribution; monitored monthly
1 × final water and 3 points within
Bromoform Chronic health 4 4×12 48 48 100,0 Yes
distribution; monitored monthly
Dibromo- 1 × final water and 3 points within
Chronic health 4 4×12 48 45 93,8 No
chloromethane distribution; monitored monthly
Bromodi- 1 × final water and 3 points within
Chronic health 4 4×12 48 48 100,0 Yes
chloromethane distribution; monitored monthly
Total risk-defined health 898 834 97 92,9 No

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 SANS 241-2:2011
Edition 1

Table A.2 — Example of compliance calculations for a system that provides water to more than 100 000 people — Operational determinands

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
No. of
Total No. of No. of Required Compliance
critical
Determinand Risk Requirements Calculation tests (per compliant compliance achieved Compliant
control
annum) results % %
points
Conductivity Operational 1 1 × final water (monitored daily) 1×365 365 365 100,0 Yes
1 × final water (monitored weekly)
Heterotrophic
Operational 6 and 5 points within distribution 52+(5×26) 182 181 99,5 Yes
plate count
(monitored fortnightly)
1 × final water (monitored once per
pH Operational 6 shift) and 5 points within distribution (3×365)+(5×26) 1 225 1 164 95,0 Yes
95
(monitored fortnightly)
1 × final water (monitored once per
Turbidity Operational 6 3×365 1 095 1 000 91,3 No
shift)
1 × final water (monitored weekly)
Aluminium Operational 6 and 5 points within distribution 52+(5×26) 182 180 98,9 Yes
(monitored fortnightly)
Total risk-defined operational 3 049 2 890 95 94,8 No
1 × final water (monitored once per Compliance to be assessed against the
Disinfectant
Operational 6 shift) and 5 points within distribution (3×365)+(5×26) 1 225 1 220 operational parameters defined by the
residuals
(monitored fortnightly) water services institution/intermediary

17
SANS 241-2:2011
Edition 1

Table A.3 — Example of an acute health – 1 microbiological compliance calculation for a system
that provides water to more than 100 000 people

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
No. of
Total No. of Required Compliance
critical
Determinand Risk Requirements Calculation No. of compliant compliance achieved Compliant
control
tests results % %
points
1 × final water (monitored weekly); 5
points within distribution (monitored
fortnightly) – total no. of samples to
E. coli Acute health – 1 6 (1×52)+(5×26) 182 169 99 92,9 No
also meet the 1 per 10 000 head of
population samples per month
requirement as minimum
Total acute health – 1 microbiological 182 169 99 92,9 No

Table A.4 — Example of acute health – 1 chemical compliance calculations for a system that provides water to more than 100 000 people

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
No. of
No. of Required Compliance
critical Calcula- Total No.
Determinand Risk Requirements compliant compliance achieved Compliant
control tion of tests
results % %
points
1 × final water and 3 points within
Nitrate Acute health – 1 4 4×52 208 200 96,2 No
distribution monitored weekly
Nitrite Acute health – 1 1 1 × final water monitored weekly 1×52 52 52 100,0 Yes
99
Sulfate Acute health – 1 1 1 × final water monitored weekly 1×52 52 52 100,0 Yes
Cyanide 1 × final water and 3 points within
Acute health – 1 4 4×52 208 170 81,7 No
(recoverable) distribution monitored weekly
Total acute health – 1 chemical 520 474 99 91,2 No

18
 SANS 241-2:2011
Edition 1

Table A.5 — Example of compliance calculations for a system that provides water to more than 100 000 people — Chronic health

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
No. of
No. of Required Compliance
critical Total No.
Determinand Risk Requirements Calculation compliant compliance achieved Compliant
control of tests
results % %
points
Free chlorine Chronic health 1 1 × final water monitored monthly 1×12 12 12 100,0 Yes
1 × final water and 3 points within
Fluoride Chronic health 4 4×12 48 48 100,0 Yes
distribution; monitored monthly
Antimony Chronic health 1 1 × final water monitored monthly 1×12 12 12 100,0 Yes
Arsenic Chronic health 1 1 × final water monitored monthly 1×12 12 12 100,0 Yes
Cadmium Chronic health 1 1 × final water monitored monthly 1×12 12 12 100,0 Yes
Total chromium Chronic health 1 1 × final water monitored monthly 1×12 12 12 100,0 Yes
Cobalt Chronic health 1 1 × final water monitored monthly 1×12 12 12 100,0 Yes
1 × final water and 3 points within
Copper Chronic health 4 4×12 48 47 97,9 Yes
distribution; monitored monthly
Iron Chronic health 1 1 × final water monitored monthly 1×12 12 12 100,0 Yes
Lead Chronic health 1 1 × final water monitored monthly 1×12 12 12 97 100,0 Yes
Manganese Chronic health 1 1 × final water monitored monthly 1×12 12 12 100,0 Yes
Mercury Chronic health 1 1 × final water monitored monthly 1×12 12 12 100,0 Yes
Nickel Chronic health 1 1 × final water monitored monthly 1×12 12 12 100,0 Yes
Selenium Chronic health 1 1 × final water monitored monthly 1×12 12 12 100,0 Yes
Uranium Chronic health 1 1 × final water monitored monthly 1×12 12 12 100,0 Yes
Vanadium Chronic health 1 1 × final water monitored monthly 1×12 12 12 100,0 Yes
Total organic
Chronic health 1 1 × final water monitored monthly 1×12 12 12 100,0 Yes
carbon
1 × final water and 3 points within
Chloroform Chronic health 4 4×12 48 47 97,9 Yes
distribution; monitored monthly
1 × final water and 3 points within
Bromoform Chronic health 4 4×12 48 48 100,0 Yes
distribution; monitored monthly

19
SANS 241-2:2011
Edition 1

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
No. of
No. of Required Compliance
critical Total No.
Determinand Risk Requirements Calculation compliant compliance achieved Compliant
control of tests
results % %
points
Dibromo- 1 × final water and 3 points within
Chronic health 4 4×12 48 45 93,8 No
chloromethane distribution; monitored monthly
Bromodi- 1 × final water and 3 points within 97
Chronic health 4 4×12 48 48 100,0 Yes
chloromethane distribution; monitored monthly
1 × final water monitored monthly
Microcystin Chronic health 1 1×6 6 6 100,0 Yes
(only 6 summer months)
Total chronic health 474 469 97 98,9 Yes

20
 SANS 241-2:2011
Edition 1

Table A.6 — Example of compliance calculations for a system that provides water to more than 100 000 people — Aesthetic

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
No. of
No. of Required Compliance
critical Total No.
Determinand Risk Requirements Calculation compliant compliance achieved Compliant
control of tests
results % %
points
1 × final water and 3 points within
Colour Aesthetic 4 4×12 48 45 93,8 No
distribution; monitored monthly
Conductivity Aesthetic 1 1 × final water (monitored daily) 1×365 365 365 100,0 Yes
Total Dissolved 1 × final water and 3 points within
Aesthetic 4 4×12 48 48 100,0 Yes
solids distribution; monitored monthly
5 points within distribution (monitored
Turbidity Aesthetic 5 5×26 130 127 97,7 Yes
fortnightly)
1 × final water and 3 points within
Sulfate Aesthetic 4 4×12 48 47 97,9 Yes
distribution; monitored monthly
1 × final water and 3 points within
Ammonia Aesthetic 4 4×12 48 48 100,0 Yes
distribution; monitored monthly
1 × final water and 3 points within 95
Chloride Aesthetic 4 4×12 48 48 100,0 Yes
distribution; monitored monthly
1 × final water and 3 points within
Sodium Aesthetic 4 4×12 48 48 100,0 Yes
distribution; monitored monthly
1 × final water and 3 points within
Zinc Aesthetic 4 4×12 48 45 93,8 No
distribution; monitored monthly
1 × final water and 3 points within
Iron Aesthetic 4 4×12 48 48 100,0 Yes
distribution; monitored monthly
1 × final water and 3 points within
Manganese Aesthetic 4 4×12 48 47 97,9 Yes
distribution; monitored monthly
1 × final water and 3 points within
Phenols Aesthetic 4 4×12 48 48 100,0 Yes
distribution; monitored monthly
Total aesthetic 975 964 95 98,9 Yes

21
SANS 241-2:2011
Edition 1

Table A.7 — Example of compliance information — Acute health – 2

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
No. of
No. of Required Compliance
critical Total No.
Determinand Risk Requirements Calculation compliant compliance achieved Compliant
control of tests
results % %
points
1 × final water and 3 points within
Viruses Acute health – 2 4 4×12 48 47 97,9 No
distribution; monitored monthly
Cryptosporidium
Acute health – 2 1 1 × final water monitored monthly 1×12 12 12 100 100,0 Yes
species
Giardia species Acute health – 2 1 1 × final water monitored monthly 1×12 12 12 100,0 Yes
Total acute health – 2 72 71 100 98,6 No

22
 SANS 241-2:2011
Edition 1

Bibliography

Standards
ISO Guide 73, Risk management – Vocabulary.

ISO 5667-22, Water quality – Sampling – Part 22: Guidance on the design and installation of groundwater
monitoring points.

ISO 24510, Activities relating to drinking water and wastewater services – Guidelines for the assessment
and for the improvement of the service to users.

ISO 24512, Activities relating to drinking water and wastewater services – Guidelines for the management
of drinking water utilities and for the assessment of drinking water services.

ISO 31000, Risk management – Principles and guidelines.

SANS 5667-1/ISO 5667-1, Water quality – Sampling – Part 1: Guidance on the design of sampling
programmes and sampling techniques.

SANS 5667-3/ISO 5667-3, Water quality – Sampling – Part 3: Guidance on the preservation and handling
of water samples.

SANS 5667-4/ISO 5667-4, Water quality – Sampling – Part 4: Guidance on sampling from lakes, natural
and man-made.

SANS 5667-5/ISO 5667-5, Water quality – Sampling – Part 5: Guidance on sampling of drinking water
from treatment works and piped distribution systems.

SANS 5667-6/ISO 5667-6, Water quality – Sampling – Part 6: Guidance on sampling of rivers and
streams.

SANS 5667-11/ISO 5667-11, Water quality – Sampling – Part 11: Guidance on sampling of groundwaters.

SANS 10330, Requirements for a hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) system.

Other publications
Ashbolt NJ, Grabow WOK, Snozzi M, 2001. Chapter 13: Indicators of microbial water quality. In: Water
Quality Guidelines: Guidelines, Standards and Health. Editors Fewtrell L and Bartram J. World Health
Organization Water Series. IWA Publishing, London. pp 289-315.

Bartram J, Corrales L, Davison A, Deere D, Drury D, Gordon B, Howard G, Rinehold A and Stevens M,
2009: Water safety plan manual: step-by-step risk management for drinking-water suppliers. World Health
Organization. Geneva.

Grabow WOK, Taylor MB and de Villiers JC, 2001. New methods for the detection of viruses: call for review
of drinking water quality guidelines. Water Science and Technology 43. pp 1-8.

Rizak S and Hrudy S, 2007. Strategic water quality monitoring for drinking water safety. Research Report
37, The Cooperative Research Centre for water quality and treatment ISBN 1876616628.

23
SANS 241-2:2011
Edition 1

South Africa. Department of Water Affairs and Forestry and Water Research Commission. Quality of
domestic water supplies – Volume 1: Assessment guide. 2nd Ed., 1998.

Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater. American Public Health Association
(APHA), American Water Works Association (AWWA), Water Environment Federation (WEF). Washington
DC. <http://www.standardmethods.org/store/index.cfm>

© SABS

24
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