The Energy & Utility Skills Register (EUSR) National Water Hygiene (‘Blue Card’) scheme plays a vital part in ensuring the protection of public health and promoting safe drinking water practices. Most UK water companies now mandate National Water Hygiene for individuals entering clean water sites or engaged in operations on the clean water network, whether or not they are in direct contact with water.

Any individual working on a restricted operations area – such as service reservoirs, water pumping stations, water treatment works, wells, springs and boreholes or working on the network of water mains and service pipes – must have a National Water Hygiene EUSR registration.

Any other individuals handling clean water for human consumption including – contractors, facilities management organisations, environmental health practitioners, water engineers, self-lay organisations, plumbers, etc. are also expected to have knowledge and understanding of safe water hygiene practice.  One way that this can be demonstrated is by holding a ‘Blue Card.’

A health screening questionnaire must be completed by all individuals prior to attending training and assessment.  If the answers suggest that an individual may be carrying a water borne disease then medical clearance must be obtained before any EUSR registration application can be submitted.  A card will not be issued until both the health screening and the test have been passed.

Successful candidates will be issued with a cover note until their personal Blue Card is issued (within 28 days).  They will also have their details entered on the EUSR – www.eusr.co.uk

Assessment is by means of a multiple choice test.  Successful candidates must achieve at least 22 correct answers out of 25

EUSR registration for National Water Hygiene is valid for three years from the date of assessment.