Press Notice - 7 July 1999
Drinking Water Inspectorate's ninth annual report published
The high quality of drinking water in England and Wales is confirmed again in the Drinking Water Inspectorate's ninth Annual Report, published today. Of the 2.8 million tests carried out by water companies in 1998 99.78 per cent complied with both national and EC standards. Appropriate remedial action is in hand for the remainder.
Announcing publication of the Report, the Chief Inspector, Michael Rouse said:
"I am pleased to present the Report giving the account of the Inspectorate's activities in 1998. Drinking water in England and Wales is shown to be of a high quality and improving. Of the 2.8 million tests carried out in 1998, 99.78 per cent complied with the national standards which are set at, or in some cases are more stringent than, the EC standards. The number of tests not complying with the standards in 1998 was down to one eighth of the figure for 1992 showing the effectiveness of the enforcement system."
"On the downside, there has been a further increase in the number of incidents in which consumers received highly discoloured water, largely from iron deposits in the water mains. Although high iron levels are not a health risk the water is unfit for human consumption and wholly unacceptable to consumers. During the year, there have been a number of successful associated prosecutions and I will continue to take a tough line in response to these failures."
"Although the Report provides a comprehensive picture of drinking water quality in England and Wales, it is of necessity fairly detailed. We have again published a leaflet called "How Good is the Drinking Water" which summarises our findings for 1998. It also comments on some common concerns of consumers. We have also published leaflets called "DWI Report on (Each) Water Company" giving brief details about the quality of drinking water supplied by individual water companies."
Notes to Editors
The Drinking Water Inspectorate was set up on 2 January 1990. Its main task is to check that water companies in England and Wales supply wholesome water and comply with the requirements of the Water Quality Regulations.
The Chief Inspector Reports annually to the Secretaries of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions and the Secretary of State for Wales on the quality of drinking water in England and Wales.
Drinking Water 1998 - A Report by the Chief Inspector, Drinking Water Inspectorate is available from the Stationery Office, Price £35, ISBN 0/11/753504/4
"How Good is the Drinking Water" is available, free of charge, from the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, Publications Despatch Centre, PO Box 236, Wetherby, West Yorkshire, LS23 7BJ.
"DWI Report on (Each) Water Company" is available, free of charge, from the Drinking Water Inspectorate, Zone 2/A1, Ashdown House, 123 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6DE: Telephone 020 7944 5956.
The Report, the leaflets and other DWI information are also available on the DWI website
Photographs of the Chief Inspector are available from the DETR press office on request.
| A - Z Index | Business and Technical | Consumer Information | Contacting us |
| DWI Home Page | News | Product Approval | Search our site | Wales |
Drinking Water Inspectorate,
Floor 2/A1, Ashdown House,
123 Victoria Street,
London, SW1E 6DE
Telephone : 020 7944 5956
Facsimile : 020 7944 5969
E-mail: dwi_enquiries@detr.gov.uk
Updated 11 July 2001
Return to Press Releases Index
Return to Drinking Water Inspectorate Home Page
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA)Home Page
The National Assembly for Wales / Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru Home Page
Web site terms
© Crown copyright 2001