For how many years must sanitary survey records be maintained?

Sanitary survey records are essential for documenting the evaluation of water systems to ensure compliance with health and safety standards. Maintaining these records for a period of 10 years aligns with regulatory requirements and standard practices in the water industry. This timeframe allows for adequate tracking of system compliance, system changes, and any remedial actions taken over time. The 10-year retention period ensures that historical data is available for review in the event of a health concern or for planning future improvements within the water system.

Longer retention periods may not be practical for operational records that can become increasingly cumbersome and less relevant as technology and regulations evolve. Therefore, the choice of 10 years is a balance between maintaining sufficient records for operational integrity while also considering practical management of documentation.