Welsh Statutory Instruments
2010 No. 66 (W.16)
WATER, WALES
The Private Water Supplies (Wales) Regulations 2010
Made
13 January 2010
Laid before the National Assembly for Wales
14 January 2010
Coming into force
4 February 2010
The Welsh Ministers are designated(1) for the purposes of section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972(2) in relation to the quality of water intended for domestic purposes or for use in food production undertaking.
The Welsh Ministers have carried out the consultation required by Article 9 of Regulation (EC) No.178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down the general principles of food law, establishing the European Food Safety Authority and laying down procedures in matters of food safety(3).
The Welsh Ministers make these Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972 and section 67, 77(3) and (4) and 213(2) of the Water Industry Act 1991(4).
PART 1Water standards
Title, application and commencement
1. The title of these Regulations is the Private Water Supplies (Wales) Regulations 2010; they apply in relation to Wales and come into force on 4 February 2010.
Scope
2. These Regulations apply in relation to private supplies of water intended for human consumption; and for these purposes “water intended for human consumption” means–
(a)all water either in its original state or after treatment, intended for drinking, cooking, food preparation or other domestic purposes, regardless of its origin and whether it is supplied from a distribution network, from a tanker, or in bottles or containers;
(b)all water used in any food-production undertaking for the manufacture, processing, preservation or marketing of products or substances intended for human consumption.
Exemptions
3. These Regulations do not apply in relation to–
(a)water to which the Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water (Wales) Regulations 2007(5) apply;
(b)water that is a medicinal product within the meaning of the Medicines Act 1968(6); or
(c)water used solely for washing a crop after it has been harvested and that does not affect the fitness for human consumption of the crop or of any food or drink derived from the crop.
Wholesomeness
4. Water supplied to any premises is to be regarded as wholesome if all the following conditions are met—
(a)it does not contain any micro-organism, parasite or substance, alone or in conjunction with any other substance, at a concentration or value that would constitute a potential danger to human health;
(b)it complies with the concentrations or values specified in Part 1 of Schedule 1; and
(c)in the water:
Disinfection
5.—(1) Where disinfection forms part of the preparation or distribution of water; the relevant person (as defined in section 80 of the Water Industry Act 1991(7)) must—
(a)design, operate and maintain the disinfection process so as to keep any contamination from disinfection by-products as low as possible,
(b)carry out this process without compromising the performance of the disinfection process,
(c)ensure that the performance of the disinfection process is maintained,
(d)in order to verify the performance of the disinfection process, keep records of the maintenance undertaken to comply with the requirements of the disinfection process, and
(e)keep copies of those records available for inspection by the local authority, for a period of up to five years.
(2) In this regulation “disinfection” means a process of water treatment to—
(a)remove; or
(b)render harmless to human health,
every pathogenic micro-organism and pathogenic parasite that would otherwise be present in the water.
Requirement to carry out a risk assessment
6.—(1) A local authority must carry out a risk assessment within five years of the coming into force of these Regulations, and subsequently every five years (or earlier if deemed necessary or it considers that the existing risk assessment is inadequate) of each private supply that supplies water to any premises in its area (other than a supply to a single dwelling not used for any commercial activity).
(2) It must also carry out a risk assessment of a private supply to a single dwelling in its area not used for any commercial activity if requested to do so by the owner or occupier of that dwelling.
(3) The risk assessment must establish whether there is a significant risk of supplying water that would constitute a potential danger to human health.
PART 2Monitoring
Monitoring
7. A local authority must monitor all private supplies in its area in accordance with this Part when carrying out its duties under section 77(1) of the Water Industry Act 1991(8).
Further distribution of supplies from water undertakers or licensed water suppliers
8. Where water is supplied by a water undertaker or licensed water supplier and is then further distributed by a person other than a water undertaker or licensed water supplier, any monitoring which the risk assessment shows to be necessary must be carried out.
Large supplies and supplies to commercial or public premises
9. In the case of a private supply (other than that specified in regulation 8) that—
(a)supplies an average daily volume of water of 10m3 or more, or
(b)supplies water to premises where the water is used for a commercial activity or to public premises,
the local authority must monitor in accordance with Schedule 2 and carry out any additional monitoring that the risk assessment shows to be necessary.
Other private supplies
10.—(1) In all cases, other than a private supply to a single dwelling not used for a commercial activity and those to which regulation 8 and 9 apply, the local authority must monitor for–
(a)conductivity;
(b)enterococci;
(c)Escherichia coli (E. coli);
(d)hydrogen ion concentration;
(e)turbidity;
(f)any parameter in Schedule 1 identified in the risk assessment as being at risk of not complying with the concentrations or values in that Schedule; and
(g)anything else identified in the risk assessment as a potential danger to human health.
(2) It must monitor at least every five years and carry out any additional monitoring that the risk assessment shows to be necessary.
(3) In the case of a private supply to a single dwelling not used for a commercial activity a local authority may monitor the supply in accordance with this regulation, and must do so if requested to do so by the owner or occupier.
Sampling and analysis
11.—(1) When a local authority monitors a private supply it must take a sample—
(a)if the water is supplied for domestic purposes, from a tap normally used to supply water for human consumption, and which, if there is more than one tap, is representative of the water supplied to the premises;
(b)if the water is used in a food-production undertaking, at the point at which it is used in the undertaking;
(c)if the water is supplied from a tanker, at the point at which it emerges from the tanker;
(d)in any other case at a suitable point.
(2) It must then ensure that the sample is analysed.
(3) Schedule 3 makes further provision for sampling and analysis.
Maintenance of records
12. A local authority must make and keep records in respect of every private supply in its area in accordance with Schedule 4.
Notification of information
13. By 31 July 2010, and by 31 January each following year, every local authority must–
(a)send the Chief Inspector of Drinking Water for Wales a copy of the records in Schedule 4; and
(b)upon request, send the Welsh Ministers a copy of those records.
PART 3Action in the event of failure
Provision of information
14. If the local authority considers that a private supply in its area is a potential danger to human health it must take appropriate steps to ensure that people likely to consume water from it—
(a)are informed that the supply constitutes a potential danger to human health;
(b)where possible, are informed of the degree of the potential danger; and
(c)are given advice to allow them to minimise any such potential danger.
Investigation
15. A local authority must carry out an investigation to establish the cause if it suspects that the supply is unwholesome or that an indicator parameter does not comply with the concentrations or values in Part 2 of Schedule 1.
Procedure following investigation
16.—(1) Once a local authority has carried out an investigation and established the cause of the water being unwholesome, it must act in accordance with this regulation.
(2) If the cause of the unwholesome water is in the pipework within a single dwelling, it must promptly inform the people supplied and offer them advice on measures necessary for the protection of human health.
(3) Otherwise, if it cannot solve the problem informally the local authority—
(a)may on application grant an authorisation in accordance with regulation 17(2) if the conditions in that regulation are fulfilled; and
(b)if it does not grant such an authorisation, must (or, in the case of a supply to a single dwelling, may) serve a notice, either in accordance with section 80 of the Water Industry Act 1991(9) or under regulation 18 if the conditions in that regulation are fulfilled.
Authorisations of different standards
17.—(1) Any person may apply to a local authority for the grant of an authorisation under this regulation.
(2) A local authority may grant an authorisation of different standards under this regulation if—
(a)the only cause of the unwholesome water is that a parameter in Table B of Part 1 of Schedule 1 (chemical parameters) is not complied with;
(b)the local authority has consulted all water users who will be affected by the authorisation and the Health Protection Agency for the area and has taken their views into account;
(c)granting the authorisation does not cause a potential danger to human health;
(d)the supply of water cannot be maintained by any other reasonable means.
(3) An authorisation must require the applicant to take action over a period of time to ensure that the necessary parameters are complied with, and must specify—
(a)the person to whom the authorisation is granted;
(b)the supply concerned;
(c)the grounds for granting the authorisation;
(d)the parameters concerned, previous relevant monitoring results, and the maximum permissible values under the authorisation;
(e)the geographical area, the estimated quantity of water supplied each day, the number of persons supplied and whether or not any food-production undertaking is affected;
(f)an appropriate monitoring scheme, with an increased monitoring frequency where necessary;
(g)a summary of the plan for the necessary remedial action, including a timetable for the work and an estimate of the cost and provisions for reviewing progress;
(h)the duration of the authorisation.
(4) If a local authority grants an authorisation, and the person to whom it is granted takes action in accordance with the timetable specified in the authorisation, the local authority may not serve a notice under section 80 of the Water Industry Act 1991 concerning the matters specified in the authorisation without first amending or revoking the authorisation.
(5) The duration of the authorisation must be as short as possible and in any event may not exceed three years.
(6) The local authority must ensure that people supplied are promptly informed of the authorisation and its conditions and, where necessary, ensure that advice is given to particular groups for which the authorisation could present a special risk.
(7) If the supply exceeds 1,000 mΔ a day as an average or serves more than 5,000 persons the local authority must send a copy of the authorisation to the Chief Inspector of Drinking Water for Wales and the Welsh Ministers within one month.
(8) The local authority must keep the progress of the remedial action under review.
(9) If necessary, it may grant a second authorisation for up to a further three years with the prior consent of the Welsh Ministers, but if it does so it must, as soon as is reasonably practicable, send a copy of the authorisation together with the grounds for its decision to the Chief Inspector of Drinking Water for Wales and the Welsh Ministers.
(10) It may revoke or amend the authorisation at any time, and in particular may revoke or amend it if the timetable for remedial action has not been adhered to.
PART 4Notice procedure
Notices
18.—(1) If any private supply of water intended for human consumption constitutes a potential danger to human health, a local authority acting under these Regulations must serve a notice under this regulation on the relevant person (as defined in section 80 of the Water Industry Act 1991(10)) instead of a notice under that section.
(2) The notice must —
(a)identify the private supply to which it relates;
(b)state the grounds for serving the notice;
(c)prohibit or restrict the use of that supply;
(d)specify what other action is necessary to protect human health.
(3) The local authority must promptly inform consumers of the notice and provide any necessary advice.
(4) The notice may be subject to conditions and may be amended by further notice at any time.
(5) The local authority must revoke the notice as soon as there is no longer a potential danger to human health.
(6) It is an offence to breach a notice served under this regulation or fail to comply with it.
Appeals
19.—(1) Any person who is aggrieved by a notice served under regulation 18 may appeal to a magistrates' court within 28 days of service of the notice.
(2) The procedure on an appeal to a magistrates' court under paragraph (1) is by way of complaint, and the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980(11) applies to the proceedings.
(3) A notice remains in force unless suspended by the court.
(4) On an appeal, the court may either cancel the notice or confirm it, with or without modification.
Penalties
20.—(1) A person failing to comply with a notice served under regulation 18 is liable—
(a)on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding three months or both, or
(b)on conviction on indictment, to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or both.
(2) Where a body corporate is guilty of an offence under these Regulations, and that offence is proved to have been committed with the consent or connivance of, or to have been attributable to any neglect on the part of—
(a)any director, manager, secretary or other similar person of the body corporate; or
(b)any person who was purporting to act in any such capacity,
that person is guilty of the offence as well as the body corporate.
(3) For the purposes of paragraph (2) above, “director”, in relation to a body corporate whose affairs are managed by its members, means a member of the body corporate.
PART 5Miscellaneous
Fees
21. Schedule 5 makes provision for fees.
Revocation
22. The Private Water Supplies Regulations 1991(12) are revoked in relation to Wales.
Jane Davidson
Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing, one of the Welsh Ministers
13 January 2010
Regulations 4, 10, 15 and 17
SCHEDULE 1Concentrations or Values
PART 1Wholesomeness
TABLE A: MICROBIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS
Prescribed concentrations or values
| Parameters | Maximum concentration or value | Units of Measurement |
|---|---|---|
| Escherichia coli (E. coli) | 0 | Number/100ml |
| Enterococci | 0 | Number/100ml |
| In the case of water in bottles or containers: | ||
| Escherichia coli (E.coli) | 0 | Number/250ml |
| Enterococci | 0 | Number/250ml |
| Pseudomonas aeruginosa | 0 | Number/250ml |
| Colony count 22°C | 100 | Number/ml |
| Colony count 37°C | 20 | Number/ml |
TABLE B:CHEMICAL PARAMETERS
Prescribed concentrations or values
| Parameters | Maximum concentration or value | Units of Measurement |
|---|---|---|
(i) 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. | ||
(ii) See also the nitrate-nitrite formula in regulation 4(c). | ||
(iii) For these purposes “Pesticides” means:
related products (inter alia, growth regulators) and their relevant metabolites, degradation and reaction products. Only those pesticides likely to be present in a given supply need be monitored. | ||
(iv) “Pesticides total” means the sum of the concentrations of the individual pesticides detected and quantified in the monitoring process. | ||
(v) The specified compounds are:
The parametric value applies to the sum of the concentrations of the individual compounds detected and quantified in the monitoring process. | ||
(vi) The parametric value applies to the sum of the concentrations of the individual compounds detected and quantified in the monitoring process. | ||
(vii) The specified compounds are:
The parametric value applies to the sum of the concentrations of the individual compounds detected and quantified in the monitoring process. | ||
| Acrylamide (i) | 0.10 | μg/l |
| Antimony | 5.0 | μg/l |
| Arsenic | 10 | μg/l |
| Benzene | 1.0 | μg/l |
| Benzo(a)pyrene | 0.010 | μg/l |
| Boron | 1.0 | mg/l |
| Bromate | 10 | μg/l |
| Cadmium | 5.0 | μg/l |
| Chromium | 50 | μg/l |
| Copper | 2.0 | mg/l |
| Cyanide | 50 | μg/l |
| 1, 2 dichloroethane | 3.0 | μg/l |
| Epichlorohydrin (i) | 0.10 | μg/l |
| Fluoride | 1.5 | mg/l |
| Lead | 25 (until 25th December 2013) | μg/l |
| 10 (from 25th December 2013) | μg/l | |
| Mercury | 1.0 | μg/l |
| Nickel | 20 | μg/l |
| Nitrate (ii) | 50 | mg/l |
| Nitrite(ii) | 0.5 (or 0.1 in the case of treatment works) | mg/l |
| Pesticides (iii)— | ||
| 0.030 | μg/l |
| 0.030 | μg/l |
| 0.030 | μg/l |
| 0.030 | μg/l |
| 0.10 | μg/l |
| 0.50 | μg/l |
| Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (v) | 0.10 | μg/l |
| Selenium | 10 | μg/l |
| Tetrachloroethene and Trichloroethene (vi) | 10 | μg/l |
| Trihalomethanes: Total (vii) | 100 | μg/l |
| Vinyl chloride (i) | 0.50 | μg/l |
National requirements — Prescribed concentrations or values
| Parameters | Maximum concentration or value | Units of Measurement |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminium | 200 | μg/l |
| Colour | 20 | mg/l Pt/Co |
| Iron | 200 | μg/l |
| Manganese | 50 | μg/l |
| Odour | Acceptable to consumers and no abnormal change | |
| Sodium | 200 | mg/l |
| Taste | Acceptable to consumers and no abnormal change | |
| Tetrachloromethane | 3 | μg/l |
| Turbidity | 4 | NTU |
PART 2Indicator Parameters
TABLE C
Prescribed concentrations, values or states
| Parameters | Maximum concentration or value or state (unless otherwise stated) | Units of measurement |
|---|---|---|
(i) The water should not be aggressive. | ||
(ii) Excluding tritium, potassium-40, radon and radon decay products. | ||
(iii) Only in the case of surface water or groundwater that has been influenced by surface water. | ||
| Ammonium | 0.50 | mg/l |
| Chloride (i) | 250 | mg/l |
| Clostridium perfringens | 0 | Number/100ml |
| (including spores) | ||
| Coliform bacteria | 0 | Number/100ml (Number/250ml in the case of water put into bottles or containers) |
| Colony counts | No abnormal change | Number/ml at 22°C |
| No abnormal change | Number/ml at 37°C | |
| Conductivity (i) | 2500 | μS/cm at 20°C |
| Hydrogen ion | 9.5 (maximum) | pH value |
| 6.5 (minimum) (in the case of still water put into bottles or containers the minimum is 4.5) | pH value | |
| Sulphate (i) | 250 | mg/l |
| Total indicative dose (for radioactivity) (ii) | 0.10 | mSv/year |
| Total organic carbon (TOC) | No abnormal change | mgC/l |
| Tritium | ||
| (for radioactivity) | 100 | Bq/l |
| Turbidity(iii) | 1 | NTU |
Regulation 9
SCHEDULE 2Monitoring
PART 1Check monitoring
Sampling
1.—(1) A local authority must undertake check monitoring in accordance with this Part.
(2) Check monitoring means sampling for each parameter listed in Table 1 in the circumstances listed in that table in order—
(a)to determine whether or not water complies with the concentrations or values in Schedule 1;
(b)to provide information on the organoleptic and microbiological quality of the water; and
(c)to establish the effectiveness of the treatment of the water, including disinfection.
Table 1
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) waters | Where the water originates from, or is influenced by, surface |
| Coliform bacteria | In all supplies |
| Colony counts | In all supplies |
| Colour | In all supplies |
| Conductivity | In all supplies |
| Escherichia coli (E. coli) | In all supplies |
| Hydrogen ion concentration | 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 |
| Pseudomonas aeruginosa | Only in the case of water in bottles or containers |
| Taste | In all supplies |
| Turbidity | In all supplies |
Frequency of sampling
2.—(1) Sampling must be carried out at frequencies specified in Table 2.
Table 2
Sampling frequency for check monitoring
| Volume m3/day | Sampling frequency per year |
|---|---|
| ≤ 10 | 1 |
| > 10 ≤ 100 | 2 |
| > 100 ≤ 1,000 | 4 |
| > 1,000 ≤ 2,000 | 10 |
| > 2,000 ≤ 3,000 | 13 |
| > 3,000 ≤ 4,000 | 16 |
| > 4,000 ≤ 5,000 | 19 |
| > 5,000 ≤ 6,000 | 22 |
| > 6,000 ≤ 7,000 | 25 |
| > 7,000 ≤ 8,000 | 28 |
| > 8,000 ≤ 9,000 | 31 |
| > 9,000 ≤ 10,000 | 34 |
| > 10,000 | 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 local authority may reduce the frequency of sampling for a parameter to a frequency not less than half if—
(a)the local authority 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 local authority 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.
(4) Notwithstanding the provisions in sub-paragraph (2) above, there must be a minimum of 1 sample per year.
PART 2Audit monitoring
Sampling
3.—(1) A local authority must undertake audit monitoring in accordance with this Part.
(2) Audit monitoring means sampling for each parameter listed in Schedule 1 (other than parameters already being sampled under check monitoring) in order to provide information necessary to determine whether or not the private supply satisfies each concentration, value or state specified in that Schedule and, if disinfection is used, to check that disinfection by-products are kept as low as possible without compromising the disinfection.
(3) The local authority may, for such time as it may decide, exclude a parameter from the audit monitoring of a private supply—
(a)if it considers that the parameter in question is unlikely to be present in the supply or system at a concentration or value that poses a risk of the private supply failing to meet the concentration, value or state specified in Schedule 1 in respect of that parameter;
(b)taking into account the findings of any risk assessment; and
(c)taking into account any guidance issued by the Welsh Ministers.
(4) It may monitor anything else identified in the risk assessment.
Frequency of sampling
4.—(1) Sampling must be carried out at the frequencies specified in Table 3.
Table 3
Sampling frequency for audit monitoring
| Volume m3/day | Sampling frequency per year |
|---|---|
| ≤ 10 | 1 |
| > 10 ≤ 3,300 | 2 |
| > 3,300 ≤ 6,600 | 3 |
| > 6,600 ≤ 10,000 | 4 |
| > 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 local authority may set a higher frequency for any parameter if it considers it appropriate taking into account the findings of any risk assessment.
PART 3Minimum frequency for both check monitoring and audit monitoring for water put into bottles or containers
| Volume1 of water produced in bottles or containers each day (m3) | Check monitoring number of samples per year | Audit monitoring number of samples per year |
|---|---|---|
1 The volumes are calculated as averages taken over a calendar year. | ||
| ≤ 10 | 1 | 1 |
| >10≤60 | 12 | 1 |
| > 60 | 1 for each 5 m3/day of the total volume (rounding up to the nearest multiple of 5 m3/day) | 1 for each 100 m3/day of the total volume (rounding up to the nearest multiple of 100 m3/day) |
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 |
Regulations 12 and 13
SCHEDULE 4Records
Initial records
1.—(1) A local authority must, before [ ], record the number of private supplies in its area, and for each supply must record—
(a)the name of the supply, together with a unique identifier;
(b)the type of source;
(c)the geographical location using a grid reference;
(d)an estimate of the number of people supplied;
(e)an estimate of the average daily volume of water supplied in cubic metres;
(f)the type of premises supplied;
(g)detail of any treatment process, together with its location;
(h)the name of the Health Protection Agency in whose area the supply is located.
(2) It must review and update the record at least once a year.
(3) It must keep the record for at least 30 years.
Additional records
2.—(1) For each supply it must record, within 28 days of each of the following taking place—
(a)a plan and description of the supply;
(b)the monitoring programme for the supply;
(c)the risk assessment;
(d)the date, results and location of any sampling and analysis relating to that supply, and the reason for taking the sample;
(e)the results of any investigation undertaken in accordance with these Regulations;
(f)any authorisation;
(g)any notices served under section 80 of the Water Industry Act 1991, or regulation 18;
(h)any action agreed to be taken by any person under these Regulations;
(i)any request for the local authority 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.
(2) It must keep the risk assessment and records of sampling and analysis for at least thirty years, and all other records under this paragraph for at least five years.
Regulation 21
SCHEDULE 5Fees
Fee
1. The local authority may charge a fee, payable on invoice, for the activities in the following table, and the fee is the reasonable cost of providing the service subject to the following maximum amounts.
| Service | Maximum fee (£) |
|---|---|
(i) No fee is payable where a sample is taken and analysed solely to confirm or clarify the results of the analysis of a previous sample. | |
| Risk assessment (each assessment): | 500 |
| Sampling (each visit) (i): | 100 |
| Investigation (each investigation): | 100 |
| Granting an authorisation (each authorisation): | 100 |
| Analysing a sample— | |
| 25 |
| 100 |
| 500 |
Persons liable to pay
2.—(1) Any person requesting anything under these Regulations is liable for the cost.
(2) Otherwise fees are payable, as specified in the invoice, by the relevant person as defined in section 80(7) of the Water Industry Act 1991.
(3) Where more than one person is liable, in determining who is required to make payment the local authority—
(a)may apportion the charge between them; and
(b)must have regard to any agreement or other document produced to the local authority relating to the terms on which water is supplied.
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 (OJ No. 330, 5.12.1998, p. 32) in relation to private water supplies. A “private supply” is defined in section 93(1) of the Water Industry Act 1991 as a supply that is provided otherwise than by a water undertaker or a licensed water supplier.
Part 1 of the Regulations makes miscellaneous provision in relation to water standards for private supplies. It defines the circumstances in which water is to be regarded as “wholesome” (regulation 4 and Schedule 1). It also sets out the requirements which apply where water is disinfected (regulation 5) and imposes a duty on each local authority to carry out a risk assessment of every private supply in its area (regulation 6).
Part 2 of the Regulations places a duty on local authorities to monitor private supplies (regulations 7 to 10 and Schedule 2) and to ensure that each sample taken is analysed in the ways set out in Schedule 3 (regulation 11). It also requires the local authority to make and maintain records for every water supply in its area (regulation 12 and Schedule 4) and to send a copy of the records to the Drinking Water Inspectorate and the Welsh Ministers (regulation 13).
Part 3 of the Regulations sets out the procedures to be followed if the water is not wholesome. It requires local authorities to provide information to those people likely to consume the water (regulation 14) and to carry out an investigation (regulation 15). If the cause of the unwholesome water is in the pipework within a single dwelling local authorities must offer advice on measures necessary for the protection of human health. Otherwise, if it is not possible to solve the problem informally, local authorities may, in defined circumstances, grant an authorisation of different standards. If such an authorisation is not granted local authorities must (or, in the case of a supply to a single dwelling, may) serve improvement notices requiring the supply to be made wholesome (regulations 16 and 17).
Part 4 of the Regulations requires a notice to be served on the “relevant person” (as defined in section 80 of the Water Industry Act 1991) if any supply constitutes a potential danger to human health (regulation 18) and makes provision for appeals and penalties in connection with such notices (regulations 19 and 20).
Part 5 of the Regulations makes provision for the payment of fess (regulation 21 and Schedule 5) and revokes the Private Water Supplies Regulations 1991 (S.I. 1991/2790) in relation to Wales (regulation 22).
A full impact assessment has been prepared for these Regulations. A copy can be obtained from the Climate Change and Water Division of the Welsh Assembly Government, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NQ.
S.I. 2004/3328, as amended by S.I. 2005/850, S.I. 2007/1349 and S.I. 2008/301. The functions conferred on the National Assembly for Wales by means of that Order are now exercisable by the Welsh Ministers by virtue of section 162 of, and paragraph 30 of Schedule 11 to, the Government of Wales Act 2006 (c. 32).
OJ No. L31, 1.2.2002, p. 1.
1991 c. 56. The functions of the Secretary of State under section 67 were transferred to the National Assembly for Wales (“the Assembly”) — (a) for the making of regulations concerning water supplied using the supply system of a water undertaker, in relation to the supply system of any water undertaker whose area is wholly or mainly in Wales and (b) for the making of regulations concerning water supplied other than using the supply system of a water undertaker, in relation to Wales, by article 2 of, and Schedule 1, to the National Assembly for Wales (Transfer of Functions) Order 1999 (S.I. 1999/672)(“the Order”); the functions of the Secretary of State under section 77 of that Act were transferred to the Assembly in relation to Wales by the same provisions of the Order; the functions of the Secretary of State under section 213 of that Act were exercisable by the Assembly to the same extent as the powers to which that section applies were made exercisable by the Assembly by virtue of the same provision of the Order: see the entry in Schedule 1 to the Order for the Water Industry Act 1991 as substituted by paragraph (e) of Schedule 3 to the National Assembly for Wales (Transfer of Functions) Order 2000 (S.I. 2000/253) and amended by section 100(2) of the Water Act 2003 (c. 37); there are other amending instruments but none are relevant. Section 213 of that Act was amended by sections 58 and 101(1) of, paragraph 39 of Schedule 7 to, and paragraphs 2, 19 and 49 of Schedule 8 to, the Water Act 2003. References in Schedule 1 to the Order to specific sections of the Water Industry Act 1991 are treated by section 100(6) of the Water Act 2003 as referring to those sections as amended by the Water Act 2003. See section 219(4A) of the Water Industry Act 1991 as inserted by section 101(1) of, and paragraphs 2 and 50 of Schedule 8 to, the Water Act 2003 for the definition of “supply system”. See section 219(1) of Water Industry Act 1991 as amended by section 101(1) of the Water Act 2003 for the definition of “licensed water supplier”. By virtue of section 162 of, and paragraph 30 of Schedule 11 to, the Government of Wales Act 2006 (c. 32), the functions conferred on the Assembly are now exercisable by the Welsh Ministers.
S.I. 2007/3165 (W.276) as amended by S.I. 2009/1897 (W.170).
1980 c. 43; sections 51 and 52 have been substituted by the Courts Act 2003 (c. 39), section 47.