For how many years should a Sanitary Survey be kept on file?

A Sanitary Survey is a critical assessment that evaluates a water system's design, operation, and maintenance to ensure public health protection. The requirement to keep these surveys on file for a specific duration typically aligns with regulatory standards that mandate records retention for compliance and accountability.

Keeping a Sanitary Survey on file for 10 years helps ensure that water systems maintain sufficient documentation for historical reference, regulatory review, and ongoing operational assessments. This 10-year window provides a comprehensive overview of the system's performance, changes made over time, and any potential issues that may impact water quality or public health.

Extended retention allows for better data analysis regarding trends, improvements, or repeat deficiencies, facilitating better planning and prioritization of system upgrades and maintenance. Moreover, it aids in training opportunities for operators and maintaining continuity in water system management, particularly when there are staff changes.

In contrast, shorter timeframes like 3 years or 5 years may not provide a complete picture of a system's historical data and operational challenges, which could lead to gaps in knowledge and missed opportunities for improvements. Therefore, maintaining these records for a decade supports both regulatory integrity and public safety.