Water safety plans for 9 small mountain aqueducts in the province of Reggio Emilia, Northern Italy

Abstract Background WHO's guidelines and EU Directive 2020/2184, transposed in Italy as Legislative decree 18/2023, promote risk-based water safety via water safety plans (WSPs). Small aqueduct managers face resources scarcity, seasonal demand shifts, less accessibility to expert support. They have exemptions, but must ensure safe water by identifying risks. The Food Hygiene and Nutrition Service (SIAN) of the Reggio Emilia Local Health Care Unit (Northern Italy) started a project to support small mountain aqueduct managers in developing WSPs. The aim was to empower them to identify critical points and adopt tailored measures to enhance safety of their water supply. Methods The SIAN created a self-assessment checklist for aqueducts’ collection points, treatment plants, reservoirs. It was presented to 34 small mountain aqueduct managers from Reggio Emilia province; 19 voluntarily submitted completed checklists (March 2024-April 2025). Data analysis identified hazards/control measures (per Italian National Institute of Health reports 14/21 and 22/33). A qualitative risk assessment ('significant’, ‘uncertain’, ‘negligible’) guided control measures recommendations. Results The study involved 19 aqueducts drawing from 43 springs. In total, 4/43 lacked absolute protection zones, 17 buffer zones, 16 dust/microorganism protection, 33 alarms, 27 monitoring. The aqueducts had 24 treatment plants, 5 chlorination and 19 UV, with monitoring/alarms in only 16 and 19 respectively. Of 18 supply chains with reservoirs, 5 lacked dust/microorganism protection. The risk assessed was ‘negligible’ for 13 aqueducts, ‘uncertain’ for 6. Conclusions Many of the 19 aqueducts lacked control and alarm measures at collection point and/or treatment plant, posing potential contamination risks, therefore requiring risk-based WSP implementation. Our project showed how the SIAN can support small aqueduct managers in developing WSPs to improve water safety in line with WHO guidelines and EU Directive 2020/2184. Key messages • The Food Hygiene and Nutrition Service of the Local Health Care Unit can help small aqueduct managers develop Water Safety Plans for improved water safety. • Many small aqueducts lack crucial control measures, thus risk-based Water Safety Plan implementation is needed.