National Water Hygiene card

What it is

A short course on how drinking water gets contaminated and how to stop it, with a 25-question multiple-choice assessment. It can be done face to face, in a remote classroom or as e-learning. Passing puts you on the EUSR register.

Before registering, everyone fills in a health questionnaire. Anyone who has had certain illnesses in the last 12 months, such as typhoid, dysentery, hepatitis A or E, or persistent diarrhoea or vomiting, needs written clearance from a doctor first.

Who needs it

All UK water companies require it for anyone entering a clean water site or working on the clean water network. That includes contractors, subcontractors and self-lay organisations, not just water company staff. The requirement comes from the water companies rather than from law.

How long it lasts

Three years, set by the scheme.

Renewing

You renew by taking the training and assessment again. EUSR doesn't publish an early renewal window or a grace period, so plan for it before the expiry date: once it lapses, the operative can't work on clean water sites until they've passed again.

Checking a card is genuine

Use the EUSR register search on eusr.co.uk (any two of EUSR ID, surname and date of birth), or scan the card with the free Checarda app. Check the registration dates on the register rather than the date printed on the card.