Optimization Using Partnership Guidelines

In an effort to optimize water treatment plant operations, utility operators are turning to time‐tested techniques, such as those promulgated in the Partnership for Safe Water program, to help them set water quality goals, improve operations efficiency, and protect consumers from microbial risk. The Partnership was designed to encourage US water suppliers to survey their utilities to identify areas that will enhance the water system's ability to prevent entry of Cryptosporidium, Giardia, and other microbial contaminants into treated water and to voluntarily implement those actions that are appropriate for the system. This article describes how in the fall of 1995, the Cleveland Division of Water (CWD) joined the Partnership for Safe Water and began to implement self‐assessment techniques aimed at improving the overall finished water quality it produced and providing multiple barriers against microbial contamination.