The National Water Hygiene (‘Blue Card’) scheme plays a vital part in ensuring the protection of public health and promoting good water hygiene practices. The scheme has been developed in collaboration with all UK water companies.
All UK water companies require individuals entering clean water sites or working on the clean water network – known as ‘Restricted Operations’, to hold a National Water Hygiene EUSR registration.
‘Restricted Operations’ includes working on service reservoirs, water pumping stations, water treatment works, wells, springs, boreholes as well as working on the network of water mains and service pipes.
It’s not just water company employees. If you are working on a ‘Restricted Operation’ on behalf of a water company subcontractor or other organisation, such as Self-Lay Organisation (SLOs) – then you need a National Water Hygiene EUSR registration.
Once you have successfully completed your National Water Hygiene training and assessment, you will understand the vital part you play in maintaining clean and safe drinking water and protecting public health. You will be issued with a National Water Hygiene EUSR photo ID card – which because of its blue colour, it’s also known as the ‘Blue Card’.
The course is delivered over half a day.
The course comprises four modules, these are: -
A standardised health screening questionnaire must be completed by any individual required to work on restricted operations. This includes those working on the water network, water treatment works, taking water quality samples – anyone that the water company considers could come in contact with treated water.
Answers on the form that suggest the individual may be carrying a water-borne disease will require the individual to be referred to their doctor or occupational health department for checks. The trainer will make the final decision on whether to allow the individual to carry out the training course. The individual must pass the health screening before they can be registered for the National Water Hygiene card and will not be issued a card until both the health screening and the test have been passed.
All four modules are assessed through a multiple-choice test, set by EU Skills, and marked by the Trainer at the end of the programme.
To effectively progress and complete the programme, individuals will be required to have knowledge and understanding relevant to all assessment criteria within each module.
The National water Hygiene Course is an EUSR accredited course and will last up to 3 years from the date of completion.