Occupational Radiation Protection in the Water Treatment and Supply Industry

This Safety Report addresses the management of occupational exposure arising from natural sources of ionizing radiation in a variety of facilities, such as water treatment and supply plants, geothermal installations and other industries that use large quantities of water. These include paper and fabric producing factories, breweries and fish hatcheries. The publication provides information on the potential distribution and activity concentration of natural radionuclides within water production well fields, pipelines, reservoirs, treatment facilities and processing residues. It also describes the characteristics of exposure pathways, exposure scenarios and explains how this influences the arrangements needed to ensure adequate protection of workers. In addition, this publication presents the results of a global survey evaluating occupational radiation protection arrangements in the water treatment and supply industry. The IAEA's analysis highlights both strengths and areas requiring improvement, and outlines actions to support industry, workers and regulatory bodies in applying the principles of optimization of protection and a graded approach. Developed as part of the IAEA's programme to support the application of its safety standards in radiation, transport and waste safety, this Safety Report compiles and examines information on water treatment and supply processes, radiation protection considerations, monitoring, dose assessment and radiation protection programmes across a range of facilities. The publication is intended to assist regulatory bodies, operating organizations, workers and their representatives, and health, safety and environmental professionals in implementing a graded approach for the protection of workers from exposure to naturally occurring radioactive material in the water treatment and supply sector.