National Water Hygiene Scheme (Blue Card)

The National Water Hygiene Scheme, commonly known as the "Blue Card," is the mandatory UK-wide standard for anyone working on clean water sites or the clean water network (Restricted Operations). Developed in collaboration with UK water companies, this scheme ensures the protection of public health by promoting strict hygiene practices to prevent water supply contamination.

 

 

🔑 Key Details

• Purpose: Ensures workers understand their responsibility to maintain a safe, clean drinking water supply through safe handling and distribution practices.

• Mandatory For: Direct employees, contractors, sub-contractors, plumbers, and environmental health practitioners who contact treated water or enter restricted operational sites (e.g., treatment works, reservoirs, pumping stations).

• Administered By: Energy & Utility Skills Register (EUSR).

• Validity: Valid for exactly 3 years.

• Renewal: Requires retaking the training and assessment before the current card expires.

• Verification: Digital proof of competence can be verified via the EUSR online register or the Checarda app.

 

 

📚 Training & Modules

The training course takes approximately 3 to 4 hours (half a day) and covers four core areas:

• Water as a Food: Understanding the vital role of wholesome water as a critical food source.

• Disease & Health Risks: Identifying water as a potential carrier of disease and understanding associated health risks.

• Contamination Sources: Learning the potential entry points, types, and consequences of contamination.

• Prevention Protocols: Implementing prevention methods, including personal hygiene, correct PPE use, and safe handling of tools or vehicles.

 

 

📝 Assessment Requirements

To successfully obtain your Blue Card, you must complete two mandatory stages:

 

1. Health Screening

A mandatory health screening questionnaire must be completed before training begins.

 

⚠️ Important: Individuals who have suffered from waterborne illnesses (such as typhoid, dysentery, or hepatitis) in the preceding 12 months must provide written medical confirmation that they are symptom-free before taking the course.

 

2. Multiple-Choice Test

A 25-question multiple-choice examination conducted at the end of the training session.

 

 

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