Chief Inspector's Report 2002
23 United Utilities Water PLC
| Overall Water Quality supplied by United Utilities Water PLC in 2002 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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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 336,666 tests on samples taken at water treatment works, from service reservoirs and in water supply zones and of these, 99.81% 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
2002 |
2001 |
2000 |
||
| Number of water treatment works | 149 |
159 |
156 |
|
| COLIFORMS | ||||
| Total number of tests | 23,664 |
23,970 |
23,781 |
|
| - | number containing coliforms | 60 |
56 |
90 |
| - | % containing coliforms | 0.25% |
0.23% |
0.38% |
| Treatment works with coliforms detected | 44 |
39 |
60 |
|
| - | % of all works with coliforms detected | 29.53% |
24.53% |
38.46% |
| FAECAL COLIFORMS | ||||
| Total number of tests | 23,664 |
23,973 |
23,781 |
|
| - | number containing faecal coliforms | 12 |
12 |
18 |
| - | % containing faecal coliforms | 0.05% |
0.05% |
0.08% |
| Treatment works with faecal coliforms detected | 11 |
12 |
17 |
|
| - | % of all works with faecal coliforms detected | 7.38% |
7.55% |
10.90% |
Failures of the coliform standard at 35 works and the faecal coliform standard at 11 works in 2002 were considered trivial, or unlikely to recur as the result of remedial action taken by the Company. Failures of the total coliform standard at three further works were covered by legally binding undertakings given by the Company. These undertakings require remedial work to be carried out to ensure compliance with the standard. There has been a significant decrease since 2000 in the number of treatment works, and in the number of tests carried out on samples from treatment works, in which total coliforms were detected. All other differences were not considered significant.
In 2002, 1,460 regulatory samples for Cryptosporidium were taken at four sites. Very low numbers of oocysts were detected in 23 samples from three sites. All results were well below the treatment standard and there were no reported outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis.
Water Quality in Service Reservoirs
2002 |
2001 |
2000 |
||
| Number of service reservoirs | 385 |
387 |
387 |
|
| COLIFORMS | ||||
| Total number of tests | 19,756 |
20,173 |
20,352 |
|
| - | number containing coliforms | 58 |
51 |
53 |
| - | % containing coliforms | 0.29% |
0.25% |
0.26% |
| Service reservoirs with coliforms detected | 50 |
42 |
48 |
|
| Service reservoirs with coliforms detected | 0 |
3 |
1 |
|
| in more than 5% of tests | ||||
| - | % of all service reservoirs with coliforms detected | 0.00% |
0.78% |
0.26% |
| FAECAL COLIFORMS | ||||
| Total number of tests | 19,756 |
20,173 |
20,352 |
|
| - | number containing faecal coliforms | 8 |
12 |
8 |
| - | % containing faecal coliforms | 0.04% |
0.06% |
0.04% |
| Service reservoirs with faecal coliforms detected | 8 |
9 |
5 |
|
| - | % of all service reservoirs with faecal coliforms detected | 2.08% |
2.33% |
1.29% |
There were no failures of the coliform standard at any of the service reservoirs. The detection of faecal coliforms at eight service reservoirs was considered trivial. Differences over the last three years in the number of service reservoirs, and in the number of tests carried out on samples from service reservoirs, in which coliforms or faecal coliforms were detected 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.
| Parameter | Total number of tests |
Tests not meeting the prescribed concentration or value |
Number of failures covered by Undertakings |
Number of zones not complying with the standards |
|||
No |
% |
2002 |
2001 |
2000 |
|||
| Coliforms | 19,040 |
136 |
0.71 |
16 |
7 |
3 |
3 |
| Faecal coliforms | 19,040 |
11 |
0.06 |
0 |
11 |
10 |
9 |
| Colour | 4,716 |
1 |
0.02 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
| Turbidity | 8,343 |
7 |
0.08 |
1 |
6 |
13 |
8 |
| Odour | 3,043 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Taste | 3,021 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Hydrogen ion | 7,362 |
2 |
0.03 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
12 |
| Nitrate | 4,895 |
16 |
0.33 |
16 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
| Nitrite | 4,895 |
1 |
0.02 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
| Aluminium | 9,800 |
6 |
0.06 |
0 |
5 |
12 |
11 |
| Iron | 9,815 |
118 |
1.20 |
112 |
81 |
88 |
108 |
| Manganese | 9,816 |
43 |
0.44 |
37 |
38 |
43 |
37 |
| Lead | 4,661 |
49 |
1.05 |
18 |
43 |
60 |
99 |
| PAH | 2,222 |
6 |
0.27 |
0 |
6 |
10 |
11 |
| Trihalomethanes | 3,881 |
68 |
1.75 |
64 |
7 |
10 |
34 |
| Total pesticides | 2,933 |
2 |
0.07 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
| Atrazine | 1,866 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
| MCPA | 1,951 |
3 |
0.15 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
| MCPP (Mecoprop) | 1,952 |
1 |
0.05 |
0 |
1 |
5 |
6 |
| Simazine | 1,866 |
1 |
0.05 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
| 2,4,5-T | 1,923 |
1 |
0.05 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
| Other pesticides | 23,988 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Ammonium | 4,889 |
1 |
0.02 |
0 |
1 |
5 |
14 |
| Benzo 3,4 Pyrene | 2,218 |
2 |
0.09 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
| Copper | 4,592 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
| Oxidizability | 601 |
5 |
0.83 |
0 |
4 |
1 |
0 |
| Phosphorus | 9,756 |
5 |
0.05 |
0 |
4 |
20 |
4 |
| Surfactants | 367 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
| Tetrachloroethene | 3,879 |
1 |
0.03 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Zinc | 4,587 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
| All others | 66,448 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| TOTAL | 248,366 |
486 |
0.20% |
265 |
|||
| 292 zones in 2002, 304 zones in 2001 and 305 zones in 2000 | |||||||
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.
| Parameter | Total number of tests |
New standard |
Tests not meeting the new standard |
| Benzene | 559 |
1.0 µg/l |
0 |
| Bromate | 1,216 |
10.0 µg/l |
4 |
| 1,2 dichloroethane | 557 |
3.0 µg/l |
0 |
| Nitrite (ex-water treatment works) | 565 |
0.1 mg/l |
0 |
| Clostridium perfringens | 457 |
0/100 ml |
12 |
| Enterococci | 1,369 |
0/100 ml |
0 |
Compliance data for 2002 has also been analysed against the revised standards and the results are shown in the following table.
| Parameter | Total number or tests |
Current Standard |
Number of tests not meeting current standard |
Revised Standard |
Number of tests not meeting revised standard |
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| Antimony | 331 |
10.0 µg/l |
0 |
5.0 µg/l |
0 |
|||
| Arsenic | 829 |
50.0 µg/l |
0 |
10.0 µg/l |
38 |
|||
| Boron | 321 |
2.0 mg/l |
0 |
1.0 mg/l |
0 |
|||
| Copper | 4,592 |
3.0 mg/l |
0 |
2.0 mg/l |
0 |
|||
| Lead | 4,661 |
50.0 µg/l |
49 |
25.0 µg/l1 |
120 |
|||
10.0 µg/l2 |
419 |
|||||||
| Nickel | 305 |
50.0 µg/l |
1 |
20.0 µg/l |
0 |
|||
| Nitrite (at consumers' taps) | 4,895 |
0.1 mg/l |
1 |
0.5 mg/l |
0 |
|||
| PAH | 2,222 |
0.2 µg/l |
6 |
0.1 µg/l |
0 |
|||
| Tetrachloroethene | 3,879 |
30.0 µg/l |
|
10.0 µg/l
|
1
|
|||
| Trichloroethene | 3,879 |
10.0 µg/l |
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'.
| Audit or Inspection | Date |
| Audit of regulatory Cryptosporidium monitoring sites | Various dates |
| Audit of progress with regulatory programmes of work | March 2002 |
| Audit of regulatory Cryptosporidium samplers | June 2002 |
| Review of distribution system undertaking | July 2002 |
| Inspection of laboratory analysing for Cryptosporidium | August 2002 |
| Audit of response to selected consumer complaints | October 2002 |
| Audit trails of 15 test results | October 2002 |
| Inspection of two water treatment works and one service reservoir | November 2002 |
| Audit of sampling arrangements | November 2002 |
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 mainly in relation to the audit trails, the inspection of the laboratory analysing for Cryptosporidium, and the audit of sampling arrangements.
Incidents
The Inspectorate regarded nine 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.
Four 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 procedures.
During the 2002 reporting period, assessments were also completed for eight incidents, which occurred in 2001.
Five incident assessments from 2002 remain under consideration.
Nature of |
No. of |
Assessment |
Area affected |
Population |
incident |
incidents |
completed |
potentially |
|
affected |
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Supply of discoloured
water |
4 |
Yes |
Bromborough (March) |
4,390 |
Fleetwood &
Thornton Cleveleys (May) |
40,000 |
|||
Maghull (August) |
6,000 |
|||
Maghull (October) |
9,925 |
|||
3 |
No |
Longridge (August) |
10,273 |
|
Little Sutton (September) |
9,243 |
|||
Croxteth & West
Derby, Liverpool (December) |
12,173 |
|||
Issue of precautionary
advice to |
1 |
No |
Ulpha (November) |
38 |
boil water |
||||
Supply of water with taste
& odour |
1 |
No |
High Harrington (September) |
160 |
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.
| Parameter/Area | Regulation breached | Location | Outcome |
| Total coliforms | 3(7) | Huntington WTW | Undertaking |
| Total coliforms | 3(7) | Watchgate WTW | Monitor |
| Total coliforms | 3(7) | Ashworth Moor WTW | Pending |
| Total coliforms | 3(7) | Cowm WTW | Pending |
| Total coliforms | 3(7) | Worsthorne WTW | Pending |
| Iron | 3(3)(c) | Castle Hill supply zone | Undertaking |
| Aluminium | 3(3)(c) | Dilworth supply zone | Distribution undertaking |
| Turbidity | 3(3)(c) | Sutton Hall North supply zone | Distribution undertaking |
Undertakings and other Improvement Programmes
Water treatment works and service reservoirs
Seven undertakings were due for completion during 2002. Six of these were to install treatment at Ambleside, Borwick, Burton, Grasmere, Staveley and Troutbeck to remove Cryptosporidium. Of these six, two were completed on or ahead of schedule and four were delayed due to circumstances beyond the Company's control. Of these four, three were completed by the end of 2002 and a revised undertaking has been accepted for the fourth. The seventh undertaking, for plumbosolvency control, required treatment to be installed at a number of sites. All the installations were completed on schedule.
Three Regulation 41 programmes of work to meet the new and revised standards set down in the new Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2000 were due for completion in 2002. These were to install treatment at Edenhall, Grange and Mow Cop to remove arsenic. The programmes were completed on schedule.
One statement of intent to reduce the risk of Cryptosporidium breaching the treatment standards was due for completion during 2002. This programme was completed on schedule.
One statement of intent for meeting the iron standard was due for completion during 2002. This programme was completed on schedule.
Distribution
The ongoing distribution system undertaking has been progressing satisfactorily. During 2002, 824 km of mains have been renovated. The Company is required to renovate a further 5,476 km of mains by December 2010.
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.
A Regulation 41 programme of work for lead pipe replacement in one supply zone was due for completion by 31 December 2002. However, the replacement of a small proportion of lead pipe was not achieved by this date due to reasons beyond the control of the Company. A revised programme of work with a new completion date has been agreed.
