The Private Water Supplies Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations implement Council Directive 98/83/EC on the quality of water intended for human consumption (O.J. No. L330, 5.12.1998 p.32) in relation to private water supplies specified in regulation 3.

Part 1 of the Regulations deals with water standards. Regulation 5 and Schedule 1 define wholesomeness. Regulation 7 places a duty on the Department of the Environment (“the Department”) to carry out a risk assessment of a private water supply, and Schedule 2 details the requirements of a risk assessment.

Part 2 and Schedule 3 deal with monitoring private water supplies. Regulation 8 requires the Department to monitor private water supplies in accordance with that Part, and regulation 12 and Schedule 4 specify how samples must be taken and analysed. Regulation 13 and Schedule 5 require the Department to keep records. Under regulation 14 the Department shall publish information annually.

Part 3 deals with what happens if the water supply is not wholesome or exceeds specified parameters. If the problem cannot be solved informally or through the granting of an authorisation, the Department shall serve a notice. Failure to comply with a notice served under regulation 19 is an offence, punishable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months, or on conviction on indictment, to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years.

A regulatory impact assessment of the costs and benefits and the effect that this instrument will have on the business and voluntary sector is available from the Department of the Environment, Calvert House, 23 Castle Place, Belfast BT1 1FY.