The Bathing Water Regulations 2008

PART 1 INTESTINAL ENTEROCOCCI AND ESCHERICHIA COLI

Location of monitoring point

1.  The Agency must—

(a) at every bathing water, locate the monitoring point where most bathers are expected; and

(b) subject to paragraph 7, where possible, take samples 30 centimetres below the water’s surface and in water that is at least one metre deep.

Monitoring calendar

2.—(1) The Agency must—

(a) establish a monitoring calendar for every bathing water before the start of every bathing season; and

(b) take samples at every bathing water no later than four days after the date specified in the monitoring calendar.

(2) In relation to any abnormal situation—

(a) the Agency may suspend the monitoring calendar for the duration of the situation; and

(b) as soon as possible after the end of the situation, the Agency must take sufficient additional samples to replace those missing due to the suspension and to ensure that it has the minimum number required for the bathing water for the bathing season.

Frequency of monitoring

3.  The Agency must—

(a) take and analyse at least four samples from every bathing water in relation to every bathing season;

(b) take the first such sample for every bathing season shortly before the start of that season; and

(c) take samples from every bathing water throughout the bathing season at intervals not exceeding one month.

Sampling equipment

4.—(1) Subject to paragraph 7, the Agency must only use sampling bottles which—

(a) have been—

(i) sterilised in an autoclave for at least 15 minutes at 121 degrees Celsius;

(ii) dry sterilised at no lower than 160 degrees Celsius and no higher than 170 degrees Celsius for at least one hour; or

(iii) irradiated by their manufacturer and not used previously;

(b) are of a size which allows sufficient water to be taken and analysed for the presence of intestinal enterococci and Escherichia coli; and

(c) are made of transparent and colourless material.

(2) The Agency must—

(a) use aseptic techniques to maintain the sterility of the sample bottles; and

(b) clearly identify every sample taken by marking in indelible ink the sample bottle and associated paperwork.

Storage and transport of samples before analysis

5.—(1) Subject to paragraph 7, the Agency must—

(a) at all times, protect every sample taken from exposure to light, and in particular, direct sunlight; and

(b) conserve every sample at a temperature of around 4 degrees Celsius between sampling and laboratory analysis.

(2) In relation to any sample, if the interval between sampling and laboratory analysis is likely to exceed four hours, the Agency must conserve the sample in a refrigerator.

(3) The Agency must ensure that the time between sampling and laboratory analysis does not exceed 24 hours and must use its best endeavours to keep this time as short as possible.

Reference methods of analysis

6.  Subject to paragraph 7, the Agency must use the following reference methods of analysis—

(a) for intestinal enterococci, ISO 7899-1 or ISO 7899-2; and

(b) for Escherichia coli, ISO 9308-3 or ISO 9308-1.

General provisions in relation to rules or reference methods of analysis

7.  The Agency—

(a) must have regard to the guidelines on the handling of samples for microbiological analyses given in Annex V to the Bathing Water Directive; and

(b) may use such rules or reference methods of analysis as it considers are substantively equivalent to those specified in this Schedule, where the Agency has notified the appropriate Minister giving details of such rules and methods and their equivalence.