Chief Inspector's Report 2002

1 Anglian Water Service Limited

Overall Water Quality supplied by Anglian Water Services Limited in 2002
A total of 226,403 tests were carried out on samples taken by Anglian Water Services Limited in 2002. Of these tests, 99.63% complied with the Regulations.
	Company Information Amount of Water Supplied: 1.200 Ml/d Consumers Supplied: 4.1 million Areas of Supply: East Anglia, Lincolnshire, Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire, and parts of Essex, Buckinghamshire and Nottinghamshire Water Composition: 48% from rivers and reservoirs   52% from boreholes and aquifers Treatment Works: 140 Service Reservoirs: 383 Km of Mains: 35,995 Water Supply Zones: 189

The Company has two inset appointments to supply water to Buxted Chickens in the Essex and Suffolk Water supply area and to Kodak in the Three Valleys Water supply area.

Water Quality at Treatment Works, in Service Reservoirs and in Water Supply Zones

To be wholesome, water must comply with the standards for the parameters set out in the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 1989. In 2002, the Company carried out a total of 226,403 tests on samples taken at water treatment works, from service reservoirs and in water supply zones and of these, 99.63% complied with the relevant water quality standards set down in the Regulations. A list of the parameters, the relevant standards and their significance can be found at the beginning of this section.

Water Quality leaving Treatment works

Failures of the coliform standard at three works in 2002 were considered trivial. Differences over the last three years in the number of treatment works, and in the number of tests carried out on samples from treatment works, in which coliforms were detected were not considered significant.

In 2002, 1,543 regulatory samples for Cryptosporidium were taken at five sites. Very low numbers of oocysts were detected in two samples from two sites. All results were well below the treatment standard and there were no reported outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis.

Water Quality in Service Reservoirs

There were no failures of the coliform standard at any of the service reservoirs. Failure of the faecal coliform standard at one service reservoir was considered trivial. There has been a significant decrease since 2001 in the number of service reservoirs and samples from service reservoirs in which total coliforms were detected. All other differences were not considered significant.

Water Quality in Water Supply Zones

The table below shows the data for the key parameters and any other parameters where there was a failure of the standard. All other parameters were fully compliant.

The fifth column indicates the number of failures in zones already covered by legally binding undertakings given by the Company. These undertakings require remedial work to be carried out to ensure compliance with the individual standard.

The New Regulations

In 2002, the Company carried out monitoring for the six new parametric values set down in the new Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2000. These Regulations come into force on 25 December 2003. The results are shown in the table below.

Compliance data for 2002 has also been analysed against the revised standards and the results are shown in the following table.

Details of the new and revised standards, and the reasons for the revisions where applicable, can be found in chapter J "New Regulations and Associated Programmes of Work".

1 from 25.12.03

2 from 25.12.13

Company Audit and Inspection

The Company was inspected or audited by the Inspectorate or its appointed consultants on a number of occasions during 2002. Where relevant, report summaries are available in the 'Business and Technical' section of the Inspectorate's web site under 'Audit and Inspection'.

A number of recommendations were made in respect of action required to avoid the risk of a breach of a regulatory duty. These recommendations were in relation to the treatment works, the analytical requirements for nitrate and nitrite, plumbosolvency treatment for lead and the laboratory analysing for Cryptosporidium.

Incidents

The Inspectorate regarded 21 of the events notified during 2002 by the Company as incidents. For further details on the classification of incidents, see chapter C "Events affecting Water Quality" in Part 3.

Eighteen of the incidents have been assessed by the Inspectorate. Each was of short duration and the Company has taken appropriate remedial action. A number of recommendations were made regarding sampling and procedures.

During the 2002 reporting period, assessment was also completed for four incidents which occurred in 2001.

Three incident assessments from 2002 remain under consideration.

Enforcement Action

The table below indicates areas where, in 2002, the Inspectorate considered taking enforcement action for regulatory breaches, and where an undertaking was submitted or where the Company took appropriate action.

Undertakings and other Improvement Programmes

Water treatment works and service reservoirs

One undertaking was due for completion during 2002. This was to install treatment at North Pickenham water treatment works to remove nitrate. The programme was completed on schedule.

The scheme covered by the undertaking described above for North Pickenham was also subject to a statement of intent.

No other improvement programmes were due for completion in 2002.

Distribution

The ongoing distribution system undertaking, which required completion of renovation by 30 September 2002, has been progressing satisfactorily. During 2002, 338 km of mains were renovated.

Lead

The Company has a Regulation 41 programme of work to meet the revised standard for lead set down in the new Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2000, which will come into force on 25 December 2003. Progress with the delivery of the programme is monitored by the Inspectorate and has been satisfactory.