The Water Safety Planning Specialist Group (WSP SG) has been formally constituted, following elections to positions on the management committee (Chair - José Vieira, University of Minho, Portugal; Vice-Chair – Huw Taylor, University of Brighton, UK; and Secretary – Rui Sancho, Águas do Algarve, Portugal).  The WSP SG will aim in the medium- to long-term to increase global WSP dissemination, particularly with regard to small and medium systems, and will help to fill knowledge gaps associated with their implementation and management. The group invites all members of IWA that wish to participate in this project, or would like further information, to contact the group at:

www.iwahq.org/1r2/networks/specialist-groups/list-of-groups/water-safety-planning.html

IWA has also launched a new award this year for drinking water safety. The IWA Drinking Water Safety Award scheme recognises excellence in the management of drinking water quality. The award scheme is aimed at service providers in low- and middle-income countries which have made demonstrable progress in improving and sustaining the quality of water provided to urban or peri-urban populations. The award scheme seeks applications from service providers who are implementing WSPs and have made demonstrable improvements in delivering safe water. The deadline for submissions is 31 May 2012. For further

details, and submission requirements visit www.sportal.org/dwsaward