The Risk Assessment of the Critical Points in the Water Safety Plan Based on the Characterization and Validity of Microbial Indicator Control: A Case Study in Qom Province, Iran

Background: The water safety plan is the new approach of the WHO to ensuring the quality and safety of drinking water. This study aimed to investigate the microbiological quality control accreditation process in the identification and risk assessment of the critical points in the water safety plan of Qom province, Iran. Methods: This descriptive study was conducted in two phases; initially, the microbial indicators of microbial validation were monitored (fecal streptococci, heterotrophic plate count, Escherichia coli, and bacterial ratio). The other qualitative and chemical parameters of water in the distribution network were also assessed (pH, residual chlorine, temperature, and turbidity). The DotMapper software was used to identify the critical control points. The second phase involved risk assessment and critical control point design. Results: We selected ۱۶۰ urban water distribution network points. In ۳۰ points, the critical points were determined based on the fecal contamination indicators using the DotMapper software. Based on the risk assessment model and semi-quantitative method, the urban water distribution network was considered high-risk. Conclusion: Considering the implementation steps of the water safety program in urban water distribution networks, attention must be paid to validating microbial indicators and the impact on identifying critical control points and control criteria.