National Water Hygiene (NWH)
The National Water Hygiene scheme, often referred to as the "Blue Card", is a mandatory UK-wide standard for anyone working on clean water sites or the clean water network (known as 'Restricted Operations'). Developed in collaboration with all UK water companies, the scheme ensures the protection of public health by promoting good hygiene practices and preventing contamination of the water supply.
Key Details
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Purpose: To ensure that individuals working with drinking water understand their responsibility in maintaining a safe and clean water supply, and are trained in safe handling and distribution practices.
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Mandatory For: All UK water companies require direct employees, contractors, sub-contractors, plumbers, and environmental health practitioners who may come into contact with treated water or enter restricted operational sites (such as treatment works, reservoirs, and pumping stations) to hold a valid EUSR National Water Hygiene registration.
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Administered By: The scheme is administered by the Energy & Utility Skills Register (EUSR).
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Validity: The EUSR registration and the "Blue Card" are valid for three years.
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Renewal: To renew the registration, individuals must retake the training and assessment before the current card expires.
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Training and Assessment
The training course typically lasts around half a day (approximately 3-4 hours) and covers essential topics through various modules:
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The importance of water as a food source.
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Water as a carrier of disease and associated health risks.
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Potential sources and consequences of contamination.
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Methods for preventing contamination, including personal hygiene, use of appropriate PPE, and proper handling of tools and vehicles.
The assessment involves:
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Health Screening: A mandatory health screening questionnaire must be completed before training. Individuals who have had certain waterborne illnesses (e.g., typhoid, dysentery, hepatitis) in the preceding 12 months must provide written medical confirmation that they are symptom-free.
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Multiple-Choice Test: A 25-question multiple-choice test is conducted at the end of the training.
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Training is available through SPL Training via face-to-face sessions, online instructor-led virtual classrooms, or self-paced e-learning options.
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Upon successful completion of both the health screening and the assessment, a National Water Hygiene EUSR photo ID card (Blue Card) is issued, which serves as proof of competence and can be verified via the EUSR online register or the Checarda app.