What is Regulation 31?

What is Regulation 31

Regulation 31 of the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2000¹ implements Article 10 of the Council of the European Union Drinking Water Directive (DWD) in England and Wales for all chemicals and construction products used by water undertakers, from the source of the water, up to the point of delivery to the consumer’s building. It sets out how approvals can be given to such construction products and materials that do not prejudice water quality and consumer safety.

Article 10 of the DWD states that:

Quality assurance of treatment, equipment and materials

Member States shall take all measures necessary to ensure that no substances or materials for new installations used in the preparation or distribution of water intended for human consumption or impurities associated with such substances or materials for new installations remain in water intended for human consumption in concentrations higher than is necessary for the purpose of their use and do not, either directly or indirectly, reduce the protectionof human health provided for in this Directive; the interpretative document and technical specifications pursuant to Article 3 and Article 4 (1) of Council Directive 89/106/EEC of 21 December 1988 on the approximation of laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States relating to construction products (1) shall respect the requirements of this Directive.

The full text of the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations is available from the DWI website -http://www.dwi.gov.uk/regs/si3184/3184.htm.

Guidance on these Regulations is also available from the DWI website - http://www.dwi.gov.uk/regs/pdf/GuidanceMay05.pdf

Details of how to obtain approval for treatment chemicals, construction products and materials for use with drinking water is given in Advice Sheet No 1, together with an explanation of the approval arrangements elsewhere in the United Kingdom.

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¹ Regulation 31 of the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2001 in Wales, Regulation 27 of the Water Supply (Water Quality)(Scotland) Regulations 2001, and Regulation 30 of the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007