The Private Water Supplies Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009

SCHEDULES

Regulation 5

SCHEDULE 1 Concentrations and Values

PART 1 Wholesomeness

TABLE A

MICROBIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS

Directive requirements – Prescribed concentrations and values

Parameters	Maximum concentration or value	Units of Measurement
Escherichia coli (E. coli)	0	Number/100ml
Enterococci	0	Number/100ml

TABLE B

CHEMICAL PARAMETERS

Directive requirements – Prescribed concentrations and values

Parameters	Maximum concentration or value	Units of Measurement
(1) The parametric value refers to the residual monomer concentration in the water as calculated according to specifications of the maximum release from the corresponding polymer in contact with the water. This is controlled by product specification.
(2) See also the nitrate-nitrite formula in regulation 5(c)
(3) For these purposes “Pesticides” means— (a) organic insecticides, (b) organic herbicides, (c) organic fungicides, (d) organic nematocides, (e) organic acaricides, (f) organic algicides, (g) organic rodenticides, (h) organic slimicides, (i) related products (inter alia, growth regulators) And their relevant metabolites, degradation and reaction products. Only those pesticides which are likely to be present in a given supply need to be monitored.
(4) “Pesticides total” means the sum of the concentrations of the individual pesticides detected and quantified in the monitoring process.
(5) The specified compounds are: (a) benzo(b)fluoranthene (b) benzo(k)fluoranthene (c) benzo(ghi)perylene (d) indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene. The parametric value applies to the sum of the concentrations of the individual compounds detected and quantified in the monitoring process.
(6) The parametric value applies to the sum of the concentrations of the individual compounds detected and quantified in the monitoring process.
(7) The specified compounds are: (a) chloroform (b) bromoform (c) dibromochloromethane (d) bromodichloromethane The parametric value applies to the sum of the concentrations of the individual compounds detected and quantified in the monitoring process.
Acrylamide (1)	0.10	μg/l
Antimony	5.0	μgSb/l
Arsenic	10	μgAs/l
Benzene	1.0	μg/l
Benzo(a)pyrene	0.010	μg/l
Boron	1.0	mgB/l
Bromate	10	μgBrO3/l
Cadmium	5.0	μgCd/l
Chromium	50	μgCr/l
Copper	2.0	mgCu/l
Cyanide	50	μgCN/l
1, 2 dichloroethane	3.0	μg/l
Epichlorohydrin (1)	0.10	μg/l
Fluoride	1.5	mgF/l
Lead	(a) 25 until immediately before 25th December 2013	μgPb/l
	(b) 10, on and after 25th December 2013	μgPb/l
Mercury	1.0	μgHg/l
Nickel	20	μgNi/l
Nitrate (2)	50	mgNO3/l
Nitrite	0.5	mgNO2/l
Pesticides (3)
Aldrin	0.030	μg/l
Dieldrin	0.030	μg/l
Heptachlor	0.030	μg/l
Heptachlor epoxide	0.030	μg/l
other pesticides	0.10	μg/l
Pesticides total (4)	0.50	μg/l
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (5)	0.10	μg/l
Selenium	10	μgSe/l
Tetrachloroethene and Trichloroethene (6)	10	μg/l
Trihalomethanes: Total (7)	100	μg/l
Vinyl chloride (1)	0.50	μg/l

National requirements – Prescribed concentrations and values

Parameters	Maximum concentration or value or state	Units of Measurement
(1) Ex water treatment works only. (See also the nitrate-nitrite formula in regulation 5(c))
Aluminium	200	μgAl/l
Colour	20	mg/l Pt/Co
Iron	200	μgFe/l
Manganese	50	μgMn/l
Nitrite (1)	0.10	mgNO2/l
Odour	Acceptable and no abnormal change
Sodium	200	mgNa/l
Taste	Acceptable and no abnormal change
Tetrachloromethane	3	μg/l
Turbidity	4	NTU

PART 2 Indicator Parameters

Parameters	Maximum concentration or value or state (unless otherwise stated)	Units of measurement
(1) The water should not be aggressive.
(2) Excluding tritium, potassium-40, radon and radon decay products.
(3) Only in the case of surface water treatment where the parametric value should be strived for in the water ex-treatment works.
Ammonium	0.50	mgNH4/l
Chloride (1)	250	mgCl/l
Clostridium perfringens (including spores)	0	Number/100ml
Coliform bacteria	0	Number/100ml
Colony counts	No abnormal change No abnormal change	Number/1ml at 22°C Number/1ml at 37°C
Conductivity (1)	2,500	μS/cm at 20°C
Hydrogen ion	9.5	pH value
	6.5 (minimum)	pH value
Sulphate (1)	250	mgSO4/l
Total indicative dose (for radioactivity) (2)	0.10	mSv/year
Total organic carbon (TOC)	No abnormal change	mgC/l
Tritium (for radioactivity)	100	Bq/l
Turbidity (3)	1	NTU

Regulation 7

SCHEDULE 2 Requirements for Risk Assessment

1.  When undertaking or reviewing and updating a risk assessment for the purposes of regulation 7 the Department shall do so in accordance with the provisions of this Schedule.

2.  A risk assessment shall comprise the following—

(a) documentation on and a description of the supply, including the catchment from which the supply draws water;

(b) a hazard assessment and risk characterisation;

(c) an identification of the measures by which potential risks may be controlled;

(d) establishment of verification procedures,

and for the purposes of this paragraph, “hazard” means a biological, chemical, physical or radiological agent that has the potential to cause harm or danger to human health; and “risk” means the likelihood of identified hazards causing harm in exposed populations in a specified time, including the magnitude of that harm and/or the consequences of such harm.

3.  In respect of a supply which comprises, either alone or in any combination thereof, catchments, surface water or ground water, the risk assessment shall include provision in relation to the relevant matters specified in Table A of this Schedule.

4.  In respect of a supply which receives treatment, including treatment at source and any point thereafter, the risk assessment shall make provision in relation to the relevant matters specified in Table B of this Schedule.

5.  In respect of a supply which comprises intermediate tanks and distribution, the risk assessment shall include provision in relation to the relevant matters specified in Table C of this Schedule.

TABLE A

SOURCE AND CATCHMENT

(1) Source of supply	(2) Information to be considered in the risk assessment
(1) Catchments	(i) geology and hydrology (ii) meteorology and weather patterns (iii) general catchment and river health (iv) wildlife (v) competing water uses (vi) nature and intensity of development and land use (vii) other activities in the catchment that potentially release contaminants into source water (viii) planned future activities
(2) Surface water	(i) description of water body type (e.g. river, reservoir, dam) (ii) flow and reliability of source water (iii) retention times (iv) water constituents (physical, chemical, microbial) (v) protection (e.g. enclosures, access) (vi) recreational and other human activity (vii) bulk water transport
(3) Groundwater	(i) confined or unconfined aquifer (ii) aquifer hydrogeology (iii) flow rate and direction (iv) dilution characteristics (v) recharge area (vi) wellhead protection (vii) depth of casing (viii) bulk water transport

TABLE B

TREATMENT

(i) treatment process (ii) equipment design (iii) monitoring equipment and automation (iv) water treatment chemicals used (v) treatment efficiencies (vi) disinfection removals of pathogens (vii) disinfection residuals/contact time (viii) maintenance schedules

TABLE C

INTERMEDIATE TANKS AND DISTRIBUTION

(i) reservoir/tank design (ii) retention times (iii) seasonal variations (iv) protection (e.g. covers, enclosures, access) (v) distribution system design (vi) hydraulic conditions (e.g. water age, pressures, flows) (vii) backflow protection (viii) disinfection residuals (ix) maintenance and cleaning schedules

Regulation 9

SCHEDULE 3 Monitoring

PART 1 Check Monitoring

Sampling

1.  Check monitoring means sampling for each parameter listed in Table A in the circumstances listed in that table.

TABLE A

Check monitoring

Parameter	Circumstances
Aluminium	When used as flocculant or where the water originates from, or is influenced by, surface waters
Ammonium	In all supplies
Clostridium perfringens (including spores)	Where the water originates from, or is influenced by, surface waters
Coliform bacteria	In all supplies
Colour	In all supplies
Conductivity	In all supplies
Escherichia coli (E. coli)	In all supplies
Hydrogen ion	In all supplies
Iron	When used as flocculant or where the water originates from, or is influenced by, surface waters
Manganese	Where the water originates from, or is influenced by, surface waters
Nitrate	When chloramination is practised
Nitrite	When chloramination is practised
Odour	In all supplies
Taste	In all supplies
Turbidity	In all supplies
Disinfectant residual	When disinfection treatment is practised.

Frequency of sampling

2.—(1) Sampling shall be carried out at frequencies specified in Table B of this Schedule.

TABLE B

Sampling frequency for check monitoring

Volume m3/day	Sampling frequency per year
≤10 > 10 ≤ 100 > 100 ≤ 1,000 > 1,000 ≤ 2,000 > 2,000 ≤ 3,000 > 3,000 ≤ 4,000 > 4,000 ≤ 5,000 > 5,000 ≤ 6,000 > 6,000 ≤ 7,000 > 7,000 ≤ 8,000 > 8,000 ≤ 9,000 > 9,000 ≤ 10,000 > 10,000	1 2 4 10 13 16 19 22 25 28 31 34 4 + 3 for each 1,000 m3/day of the total volume (rounding up to the nearest multiple of 1,000 m3/day)

(2) The Department may reduce the frequency of sampling for a parameter to a frequency not less than half if—

(a) it is of the opinion that the quality of water in the supply is unlikely to deteriorate;

(b) in the case of hydrogen ion the parameter has had a pH value that is not less than 6.5 and not more than 9.5; and

(c) in all other cases, in each of two successive years the results of samples taken for the purposes of monitoring the parameter in question are constant and significantly lower than the concentrations or values laid down in Schedule 1.

(3) The Department may set a higher frequency for any parameter if it considers it appropriate taking into account the findings of any risk assessment and, in addition, may monitor anything else identified in the risk assessment.

PART 2 Audit Monitoring

Sampling

3.—(1) Audit monitoring means sampling for each parameter listed in Schedule 1 (other than parameters already being sampled under check monitoring).

(2) The Department may, for such time as it may decide, exclude a parameter from the audit monitoring of a private supply—

(a) if the Department considers that the parameter in question is unlikely to be present in the supply or system at a concentration or value which poses a risk of the private supply failing to meet the concentration, value or state specified in Schedule 1 in respect of that parameter; and

(b) taking into account the findings of any risk assessment.

(3) The Department may monitor anything else identified in the risk assessment.

Frequency of sampling

4.—(1) Sampling shall be carried out at the frequencies specified in Table C of this Schedule.

TABLE C

Sampling frequency for audit monitoring

Volume m3 /day	Sampling frequency per year
≤ 1000	1
> 1000 ≤ 10,000	1 + 1 for each 3,300 m3/day of the total volume (rounding up to the nearest multiple of 3,300 m3/day)
> 10,000 ≤ 100,000	3 + 1 for each 10,000 m3/day of the total volume (rounding up to the nearest multiple of 10,000 m3/day)
> 100,000	10 + 1 for each 25,000 m3/day of the total volume (rounding up to the nearest multiple of 25,000 m3/day)

(2) The Department may set a higher frequency for any parameter if it considers it appropriate taking into account the findings of any risk assessment.

Regulation 12

SCHEDULE 4 Sampling and Analysis

PART 1 General

Samples: general

1.—(1) The Department shall ensure that each sample taken in accordance with a monitoring programme is—

(a) representative of the water at the sampling point at the time of sampling;

(b) not contaminated in the course of being taken;

(c) kept at such temperature and in such conditions as will secure that there is no material alteration of a concentration, value or state of any parameter for which the sample is to be analysed; and

(d) analysed as soon as may be after it has been taken—

(i) by a person who is competent to perform that task; and

(ii) with the use of such equipment as is suitable for the purpose.

Analysing samples

2.—(1) The Department shall ensure that each sample is analysed in accordance with this paragraph.

(2) For each parameter specified in the first column of Table A in Part 2 of this Schedule—

(a) the method of analysis specified in the second column of that table; or

(b) an alternative method of analysis authorised under paragraph 3;

(3) For each parameter specified in the first column of Table B in Part 2 of this Schedule the method of analysis is one that is capable of—

(a) measuring concentrations and values with the trueness and precision specified in the second and third columns of that table; and

(b) detecting the parameter at the limit of detection specified in the fourth column of that table.

(4) For hydrogen ion, a method of analysis which is capable at the time of use of measuring a value with a trueness of 0.2 pH unit and a precision of 0.2 pH unit.

(5) For these purposes—

“limit of detection” is to be calculated as—

(a)

three times the relative within-batch standard deviation of a natural sample containing a low concentration of the parameter; or

(b)

five times the relative within-batch standard deviation of a blank sample;

“precision” (the random error) is to be calculated as twice the standard deviation (within a batch and between batches) of the spread of results about the mean; and

“trueness” (the systematic error) is to be calculated as the difference between the mean value of the large number of repeated measurements and the true value.

Authorisation of alternative methods of analysis

3.—(1) If the Department is satisfied that an alternative method of analysis is at least as reliable as a method of analysis prescribed by paragraph 2(2)(a), it may authorise its use instead of the prescribed method.

(2) The Department shall provide the European Commission with relevant information concerning such methods and their equivalence.

Laboratories

4.  The Department shall ensure that any laboratory at which samples are analysed has a system of analytical quality control that is subjected from time to time to checking by a person who is—

(a) not under the control of either the laboratory or the Department; and

(b) approved by the Department for that purpose.

Interpretation

5.  In this schedule—

“laboratory” includes any land at which samples are analysed for the purposes of these Regulations (including on-site analysis); and

“taking and analysing samples” includes taking, handling, transporting, storing and analysing samples.

PART 2 Analytical Methods

TABLE A

Prescribed methods of analysis

(1) Parameter	(2) Method
*Use the following method to make m-CP agar:
Make a basal medium consisting of—
30.0g Tryptose;
20.0g Yeast extract;
5.0g Sucrose;
1.0g L-cysteine hydrochloride;
0.1g MgSO4.7 H2O;
40.0mg Bromocresol purple;
15.0g Agar; and
1,000.0ml Water.
Dissolve the ingredients of the basal medium, adjust pH to 7.6 and autoclave at 121°C for 15 minutes. Allow the medium to cool. Dissolve the following into 8ml sterile water before adding to the medium—
400.0mg D-cycloserine;
25.0mg Polymyxine-B sulphate; and
60.0mg Indoxyl-β-D-glucoside.
Add to the medium—
20.0 ml Filter-sterilised 0.5% phenolphthalein diphosphate solution; and
2.0ml Filter-sterilised 4.5% FeCl3.6H2O
Clostridium perfringens (including spores)	Membrane filtration followed by anaerobic incubation of the membrane on m-CP agar* at 44 ± 1°C for 21 ± 3 hours. Count opaque yellow colonies that turn pink or red after exposure to ammonium hydroxide vapours for 20 to 30 seconds.
Coliform bacteria	BS-EN ISO 9308-1
Colony count 22°C-enumeration of culturable microorganisms	BS-EN ISO 6222
Colony count 37°C-enumeration of culturable microorganisms	BS-EN ISO 6222
Enterococci	BS-EN ISO 7899-2
Escherichia coli (E. coli)	BS-EN ISO 9308-1

TABLE B

Prescribed performance characteristics for methods of analysis

(1) Parameters	(2) Trueness % of prescribed concentration or value or specification	(3) Precision % of prescribed concentration or value or specification	(4) Limit of detection % of prescribed concentration or value or specification
(1) The method of analysis should determine total cyanide in all forms.
(2) The performance characteristics apply to each individual pesticide and will depend on the pesticide concerned.
(3) The performance characteristics apply to the individual substances specified at 25% of the parametric value in Table B of Part 1 of Schedule 1.
(4) The performance characteristics apply to the individual substances specified at 50% of the parametric value in Table B of Part 1 of Schedule 1.
(5) The performance characteristics apply to the prescribed value of 4 NTU.
(6) The performance characteristics apply to the specification of 1 NTU for water leaving surface water treatment works.
Aluminium	10	10	10
Ammonium	10	10	10
Antimony	25	25	25
Arsenic	10	10	10
Benzene	25	25	25
Benzo(a)pyrene	25	25	25
Boron	10	10	10
Bromate	25	25	25
Cadmium	10	10	10
Chloride	10	10	10
Chromium	10	10	10
Colour	10	10	10
Conductivity	10	10	10
Copper	10	10	10
Cyanide (1)	10	10	10
1,2-dichloroethane	25	25	10
Fluoride	10	10	10
Iron	10	10	10
Lead	10	10	10
Manganese	10	10	10
Mercury	20	10	20
Nickel	10	10	10
Nitrate	10	10	10
Nitrite	10	10	10
Pesticides and related products (2)	25	25	25
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (3)	25	25	25
Selenium	10	10	10
Sodium	10	10	10
Sulphate	10	10	10
Tetrachloroethene (4)	25	25	10
Tetrachloromethane	20	20	20
Trichloroethene (4)	25	25	10
Trihalomethanes: Total (3)	25	25	10
Turbidity(5)	10	10	10
Turbidity(6)	25	25	25

Regulation 13

SCHEDULE 5 Records

1.—(1) Within twelve months of these Regulations coming into force the Department shall compile records to include—

(a) the name and address of every responsible person for the land or private supply;

(b) the location and description of the private supply;

(c) an eight figure ordnance survey grid reference of the location of the source of supply;

(d) a description of the source;

(e) the addresses of the land supplied by the private supply;

(f) a plan of the private supply showing the sources and land supplied;

(g) the purposes for which the water is supplied;

(h) the estimated average daily volume of water supplied;

(i) an estimate of the numbers of people served by the supply;

(j) any drinking-water treatment to which the supply is subject;

(k) the monitoring programme for the supply;

(2) The Department shall review and update the record at least once a year.

(3) It shall keep the record for at least thirty years.

2.—(1) For each private supply the Department shall record each of the following within 28 days of the event—

(a) date and results of any sampling and analysis relating to that supply;

(b) sufficient records to show that the requirements of regulations 7 and 8 and Schedules 3 and 4 have been satisfied;

(c) the results of any investigation undertaken in accordance with these Regulations;

(d) any authorisation;

(e) any action taken or required to be taken by any person under these Regulations;

(f) any action taken or required to be taken following a notice given under Article 119 of the Water and Sewerage Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006(1);

(g) in respect of any risk assessment, the date and results of any inspection of the supply and the results of analysis of samples taken for the purposes of the assessment;

(h) any notices served under these Regulations;

(i) any request for the Department to carry out sampling and analysis, undertake a risk assessment or give advice;

(j) a summary of any advice given in relation to the supply; and

(k) such other particulars as the Department may determine.

(2) The Department shall keep the records of sampling and analysis for at least 30 years, and all other records under this paragraph for at least 10 years.

(1)

SI 2006/3336 (N.I. 21)