How often should a water system conduct a comprehensive risk assessment?

Conducting a comprehensive risk assessment every five years is aligned with the best practices and regulatory guidelines for water systems. This timeframe allows for a thorough evaluation of potential risks, including source water contaminants, distribution system vulnerabilities, and operational issues that may arise over time. By performing assessments at this interval, water systems can systematically identify and mitigate risks, ensuring ongoing protection of public health and compliance with regulatory standards.

More frequent assessments, such as annually or biennially, may not provide significant additional insights, as many conditions affecting water quality and safety tend to change more gradually. Conversely, extending the assessment period to ten years may overlook emerging risks or changes in technology and public health guidelines, which could compromise water quality management. Therefore, a five-year assessment strikes an appropriate balance between diligence in risk management and efficient use of resources.