Wastewater systems are critical to public health, environmental protection, and sustainable development. Every day, communities generate large volumes of domestic, industrial, and stormwater flows that must be safely collected, treated, and either reused or discharged. When managed effectively, wastewater treatment systems protect populations from infectious disease, reduce environmental degradation, and recover valuable resources such as water, nutrients, and energy. When mismanaged, they can become vectors of disease transmission, contribute to chemical pollution, and cause long-term damage to the environment.
Recognizing both the opportunities and risks associated with wastewater management, the World Health Organization (WHO) has developed the Wastewater Safety Plan (WWSP) framework. This approach adapts the principles of risk-based management—already well established in the drinking water sector through Water Safety Plans—to the context of wastewater collection, treatment, and reuse. Using the WHO framework as a foundation, it has been modified to suit a New Zealand wastewater treatment context.
With upcoming changes in legislation for wastewater treatment in New Zealand WWSPs are set to become mandatory.
Rather than relying solely on end-point monitoring of effluent quality, the WWSP emphasizes system-wide risk assessment, preventive management, and continuous improvement. It encourages utilities, regulators, and stakeholders to work collaboratively to safeguard health throughout the entire wastewater chain.
A WWSP is a comprehensive, structured risk management framework designed to ensure the safe collection, treatment, discharge, and potential reuse of wastewater. It is a practical tool that guides operators and authorities to:
- Identify hazards and hazardous events that could compromise safety (e.g., environmental contamination, pathogen release, infrastructure failures, etc.).
- Assess risks to human health and the environment associated with those hazards.
- Implement multibarrier approach across the system to minimize risks.
- Monitor critical control points to ensure the barriers remain effective.
- Establish management procedures for normal operation and emergency conditions.
- Engage stakeholders and document responsibilities, communication protocols, and continuous improvement actions.
Lutra's Free WWSP Guide/Template:
To make your life easier, Lutra have put together a comprehensive template that guides you through the steps of putting a WWSP together. Completing the template should give you a robust WWSP, helping ensure you are prepared for any issues at your plant and can show this to comply with upcoming regulation.
If you would like access please fill in the short form and we will get a link across to you.
