B. Technical Audit of Water Companies
Describing the Technical audit process for checking water companies’ compliance with the Drinking Water Quality Regulations in force during the year 2000.
The Technical Audit Process
Technical audits are carried out by the Inspectorate to check that water companies are complying with their statutory obligations. In doing so the Inspectorate observes whether current good practice is being followed. It consists of three elements:
Annual assessment
A check on the quality of water supplied throughout the year, based on analytical information provided by water companies.
Checks that companies have met their obligations in respect of sampling programmes and improvement programmes.
Inspection
Audit Inspections of selected aspects of activities of individual companies relevant to any of their quality-related water supply duties.
Interim checks
Made on aspects of compliance based on information provided periodically by companies.
Inspections are tailored to the individual companies. This is a continuing process with tasks covered being subject to review.
In 2000, all 27 companies were inspected by a combination of visits and assessment of information and documents obtained from them. Consultants were used for some inspection tasks, and where relevant, inspection report summaries are available in the ‘Business and Technical’ section of DWI’s web site under ‘Audit and Inspection’.
After every inspection visit the company was given a report of the findings. The Inspectorate now uses detailed checklists for inspection tasks completed during the inspection which can be printed out on site at the end of the inspection visit. This approach is effective and efficient.
Findings are summarised in each inspection report, and include the main conclusions and any recommendations made. Recommendations are made where, in the Inspectorate’s opinion, action is required either to remedy a breach or to avoid a foreseeable risk of breach of a regulatory duty. During the inspection, Inspectors often make suggestions in relation to matters that do not present such a risk, but concern general good practice.
The main conclusions drawn from the inspections carried out in 2000 are set out for each company in the ‘Business and Technical’ section of the DWI web site under ‘Audit & Inspection’, together with information on any breaches of regulations and consequent consideration of enforcement action by the Inspectorate.
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Published 11 July 2001
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