Regulation 11
SCHEDULE 3Sampling and analysis
PART 1General
Samples: general
1.—(1) The local authority must ensure that each sample is—
(d)taken by a competent person using suitable equipment;
(e)representative of the water at the sampling point at the time of sampling;
(f)not contaminated in the course of being taken;
(g)kept at such temperature and in such conditions as will secure that there is no material change in what is to be measured; and
(h)analysed without delay by a competent person using suitable equipment.
(2) It must ensure that the sample is analysed using a system of analytical quality control.
(3) The system must be subjected to checking by a person who is—
(a)not under the control of either the analyst or the local authority; and
(b)approved by the Welsh Ministers for that purpose.
Analysing samples
2.—(1) The local authority must ensure that each sample is analysed in accordance with this paragraph.
(2) For each parameter specified in the first column of Table 1 in Part 2 of this Schedule the method of analysis is specified in the second column of that table.
(3) For each parameter specified in the first column of Table 2 in Part 2 of this Schedule the method 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, the method of analysis must be capable of measuring a value with a trueness of 0.2 pH unit and a precision of 0.2 pH unit.
(5) The method of analysis used for odour and taste parameters must be capable of measuring values equal to the parametric value with a precision of 1 dilution number at 25°C.
(5) For these purposes—
“limit of detection” is —
(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 twice the standard deviation (within a batch and between batches) of the spread of results about the mean;
“trueness” (the systematic error) is 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) The Welsh Ministers may authorise a method different from that set out in paragraph 2(2) if satisfied that it is at least as reliable.
(2) An authorisation may be time-limited and may be revoked at any time.
Sampling and analysis by persons other than local authorities
4.—(1) A local authority may enter into an arrangement for any person to take and analyse samples on its behalf.
(2) A local authority must not enter into an arrangement under paragraph (1) unless—
(a)it is satisfied that the task will be carried out promptly by a person competent to perform it, and
(b)it has made arrangements that ensure that any breach of these Regulations is communicated to it immediately, and any other result is communicated to it within 28 days.
PART 2Analytical methods
Table 1
Prescribed methods of analysis
| Parameter | Method | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
* Use the following method to make m-CP agar : Make a basal medium consisting of—
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—
into 8ml sterile water and add it to the medium. Add to the medium—
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pseudomonas aeruginosa | BS-EN-ISO 12780 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Table 2
Prescribed performance characteristics for methods of analysis
| Parameters | Trueness % of prescribed concentration or value or specification | Precision % of prescribed concentration or value or specification | Limit of detection % of prescribed concentration or value or specification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notes: | |||
(i) The method of analysis should determine total cyanide in all forms. | |||
(ii) The performance characteristics apply to each individual pesticide and will depend on the pesticide concerned. | |||
(iii) The performance characteristics apply to the individual substances specified at 25% of the parametric value in Part I of Table B in Schedule 1. | |||
(iv) The performance characteristics apply to the individual substances specified at 50% of the parametric value in Part I of Table B in Schedule 1. | |||
(v) The performance characteristics apply to the prescribed value of 4 NTU. | |||
(vi) The performance characteristics apply to the specification of 1 NTU for surface waters or ground waters influenced by surface water. | |||
| 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 (i) | 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 (ii) | 25 | 25 | 25 |
| Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (iii) | 25 | 25 | 25 |
| Selenium | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Sodium | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Sulphate | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Tetrachloroethene (iv) | 25 | 25 | 10 |
| Tetrachloromethane | 20 | 20 | 20 |
| Trichloroethene (iv) | 25 | 25 | 10 |
| Trihalomethanes: | |||
| Total (iii) | 25 | 25 | 10 |
| Turbidity (v) | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Turbidity (vi) | 25 | 25 | 25 |