An index model for evaluating water safety plans in the Philippines

Abstract

Developing a water safety plan (WSP) is now a requirement for all service providers of drinking water in the Philippines. To assist compliance with the Philippine Department of Health (DOH), this study develops an index model that the DOH can use for evaluating WSPs and covers the WSPs of 14 water districts and 11 health care facilities. The WSP Index model was developed using a nine-step process and was tested in 25 WSPs to determine the robustness of its weights and benchmark. Approximately 21 WSPs received a passing mark when the 60% benchmark was used but only nine WSPs passed when the benchmark was raised to 74%. This Philippine model may be utilized by countries in evaluating the WSPs, and further adapted to their local context and considerations.