Updating the regulatory framework for the design and construction of water supply and sanitation systems

Abstract

The paper discusses the aspects of updating and approaches to improving the regulatory and technical documents, i.e. Codes of Practice (CPs), State Standards (GOSTs) to enhance the efficiency of design, construction and operation of water supply and wastewater disposal systems in Russian cities and communities. The development of a methodology for switching over the system of regulatory and technical documents to the parametric standardization is analyzed. It is demonstrated that in recent years, the Russian construction sector has set a course for revising and updating the regulatory framework in the field of design and construction, thus reducing the statutory requirements in the Codes of Practice. The definitions of various methods for the development and application of regulations and standards in construction are given. It is demonstrated that the planned transition from the prescriptive regulation system to a parametric one with specified quality criteria for the finished product is aimed at the development of the quality criteria for the finished project or product using any alternative approaches and methods, transferring a significant part of building codes and regulations to the voluntary category. Evidently, such amendments to the regulatory framework require a very detailed scientific and practical justification.