To be wholesome, water must comply with the water quality standards for the parameters set out in the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 1989. In 2003, the Company carried out a total of 198,350 tests on samples of water leaving its 35 water treatment works, from its 242 service reservoirs and from consumers’ taps in its 111 water supply zones. Of these, 99.92% (198,193) complied with the standards set down in the Regulations. However, 0.08% (157) tests did not meet the standards. 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

A comparison of the Company’s performance in 2003 with data for 2002 and 2001, is given below. 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 or faecal coliforms were detected, were not considered significant.

During 2003, failures of the total coliform standard at three works were considered trivial.

During 2003, there were no failures of the faecal coliform standard at any of the Company’s water treatment works.

In 2003, 2,963 regulatory samples for Cryptosporidium were taken at 13 sites. Very low numbers of oocysts were detected in 13 samples from six sites. All results were well below the treatment standard and there were no reported outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis.

Water quality in service reservoirs

A comparison of the Company’s performance in 2003 with data for 2002 and 2001, is given below. 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.

During 2003, total coliforms were occasionally detected at a number of service reservoirs. However, there were no failures of the total coliform standard at any service reservoir.

The single failures of the faecal coliform standard at Hill End and Stagshaw service reservoirs were considered unlikely to recur as a result of remedial action taken by the Company.

Single failures of the faecal coliform standard at a further three service reservoirs were considered trivial.

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. A comparison is also given for parameters failing the standards in 2002 and 2001.

Parameter	Total number of tests		Tests not meeting standard		Number of failures covered by Undertakings	Number of zones not complying with the standards (number of zones in 2003 = 111)*
			No	%		2003	2002	2001
Coliforms		7,421	32	0.43	0	0	1	0
Faecal coliforms		7,421	1	0.01	0	1	4	2
Colour		7,406	0	0.00	0	0	1	1
Turbidity		7,406	9	0.12	2	7	6	5
Odour		1,006	0	0.00	0	0	1	0
Taste		1,006	3	0.30	0	3	2	2
Hydrogen ion		7,405	1	0.01	0	1	0	0
Nitrate		866	0	0.00	0	0	0	0
Nitrite		874	0	0.00	0	0	0	0
Aluminium		3,508	2	0.06	0	2	2	2
Iron		3,508	38	1.08	34	27	24	32
Manganese		3,508	11	0.31	5	11	13	8
Lead		1,715	2	0.12	0	2	6	11
PAH		473	0	0.00	0	0	1	1
Trihalomethanes		954	4	0.42	4	2	5	1
Total pesticides		2,398	0	0.00	0	0	3	0
Carbophenothion		1,315	0	0.00	0	0	0	1
Chlortoluron		2,377	0	0.00	0	0	2	0
Isoproturon		2,379	1	0.04	0	1	3	0
Propyzamide		2,336	0	0.00	0	0	0	22
Other pesticides		71,151	0	0.00	0	0	0	0
Chromium		122	0	0.00	0	0	1	0
Magnesium		155	6	3.87	0	1	0	0
Phosphorus		1,317	16	1.21	0	14	3	0
Potassium		122	0	0.00	0	0	0	1
Sulphate		210	1	0.48	0	1	0	2
All others		18,470	0	0.00	0	0	0	0
TOTAL		156,829	127	0.08
*112 zones in 2002 and in 2001

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.

Significantly more failures of the phosphorous standard occurred during 2003 than in the previous year. These were associated with the Company carrying out optimisation works associated with plumbosolvency control measures to improve compliance with the lead standard.

The new Regulations

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

Parameter	Total number	New standard	Tests not meeting
	of tests		the new standard
Benzene	134	1.0 µg/l	0
Bromate	394	10.0 µg/l	0
1,2 dichloroethane	135	3.0 µg/l	0
Nitrite (exwater treatment works)	134	0.1 mg/l	0
Clostridium perfringens	135	0/100 ml	0
Enterococci	393	0/100 ml	0

Compliance data for 2003 have also been analysed against the revised standards and the results are shown in the following table.

Parameter	Total number of tests		Current standard	Number of tests not meeting current standard	Revised standard	Number of tests not meeting revised standard
Antimony		111	10.0 µg/l	0	5.0 µg/l	0
Arsenic		111	50.0 µg/l	0	10.0 µg/l	0
Boron		111	2.0 mg/l	0	1.0 mg/l	0
Copper		1,704	3.0 mg/l	0	2.0 mg/l	0
Lead		1,715	50.0 µg/l	2	25.0 µg/l*	6
					10.0 µg/l	37
Nickel		111	50.0 µg/l	0	20.0 µg/l	0
Nitrite (at consumers’ taps)		874	0.1 mg/l	0	0.5 mg/l	0
PAH		473	0.2 µg/l	0	0.1 µg/l	0
Tetrachloroethene Trichloroethene		953 953	10.0 µg/l 30.0 µg/l	0	} 10.0 µg/l	0

* Final standard not applicable until 2013

During 2003, the Company had in place programmes of work to meet the new and revised standards. Details of the new and revised standards can be found in chapter J ‘New Regulations and Associated Programmes of Work’.

Audit and inspection

The Company was inspected or audited by the Inspectorate or its appointed consultants on a number of occasions during 2003. Where relevant, report summaries are available in the ‘Business and Technical’ section of the Inspectorate’s website under ‘Audit and Inspection’. Details of the subject areas audited or inspected are given in the following paragraphs:

Follow up of recommendations made during the 2002 inspections or in connection with water quality incidents

Steps have been taken to implement all of the recommendations arising from the 2002 audit and inspection process and from assessments of water quality incidents.

Audit of regulatory Cryptosporidium monitoring sites

The monitoring equipment at all regulatory sites visited during the year was found to be satisfactory.

Inspection of laboratory analysing for Cryptosporidium

An unannounced audit on the Company’s Cryptosporidium laboratory was satisfactory.

The announced audit on the Company’s Cryptosporidium laboratory identified one regulatory breach as well as two minor deficiencies associated with the Standard Operating Protocol. The Company’s laboratory has taken the required remedial action to rectify the deficiencies identified.

Audit of progress with water treatment works improvement programmes

A desktop audit of four schemes associated with improvement programmes at water treatment works was carried out together with one site visit. These schemes were for THM at Fontburn, Wearhead, Tunstall and Broken Scar treatment works. Progress with all four schemes was considered satisfactory.

Review of distribution system undertaking

Progress has been made with the programme of mains renovation set out in the Company’s continuing distribution system undertaking. However, the Company is being required to take action on three deficiencies associated with rate of renovation activity and reporting.

Audit of response to selected consumer complaints

A desktop audit of the Company’s response to 12 consumer complaints about drinking water quality was found to be satisfactory.

Audit trails of selected microbiological test results

Vertical audits were carried out on two test results selected at random for the period November 2002 to January 2003. The Company is being required to take action on deficiencies identified with statistical quality control of one sample.

Audit trails of selected nonmicrobiological test results

Vertical audits were carried out on eight test results selected at random for the period February to June 2003. The Company is being required to take action on deficiencies identified with the method of analysis and timeliness of analysis for three parameters and in the arrangements for reviewing and recalculating control charts for one parameter.

Inspection of three water treatment works and four service reservoirs

Inspections were carried out at Byreness, Rochester and Otterburn water treatment works and at Hillend, Hebron (old), Hebron (new) and Birney Hill service reservoir sites. The operation and management of all treatment works and service reservoirs were satisfactory. However, the Company is being required to take action in respect of a number of minor deficiencies associated with manual raw water tests and checks on chemicals at the treatment works sites, and operational arrangements at Hebron (old) service reservoir.

Audit of Company policies for the supervision of contractors working on the distribution system

A desktop audit found that the Company’s policy for the supervision of contractors working on the distribution system was satisfactory.

Audit of Company policies for drilling and tapping activities on the distribution system

A desktop audit found that the Company’s policy for drilling and tapping activities on the distribution system was satisfactory. However, the Company is being required to take action in relation to a minor deficiency relating to the assessment of contractors.

Audit of plumbosolvency treatment and control programmes

Progress with the programme of work for plumbosolvency treatment and control measures for lead was found to be satisfactory.

Incidents

The Inspectorate regarded ten events notified during 2003 as incidents. Further details of these incidents are given in the table below.

Six of the incidents were fully investigated and assessed by the Inspectorate during 2003. Each was of relatively short duration and, where applicable, the Company took appropriate action to protect public health. The Company is being required to take action on a number of deficiencies identified in respect of monitoring and sampling, and maintenance of the distribution system assets. The remaining four incidents from 2003 are under consideration.

During 2003, investigations were also completed for one incident that occurred in 2002.

Nature of incident Assessment completed during 2003

Enforcement action

The table below indicates areas where, in 2003, 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
Turbidity	Regulation 3(3)(c)	Tyneside West zone	Revision of existing
			undertaking

Improvement programmes

Water treatment works/service reservoirs

Five undertakings associated with treatment works were due for completion during 2003. These were to install treatment at Tunstall, Wearhead and Broken Scar treatment works to remove THM and to install or improve treatment at Henderson and Warkworth treatment works to remove pesticides. All of these undertakings were completed on schedule.

One Regulation 41 programme of work to meet the new and revised standards set down in the new Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2000 was due for completion in 2003. This was to install treatment at Fontburn treatment works to remove THM. The programme was completed on schedule.

No other improvement programmes associated with treatment works and service reservoirs were due for completion during 2003.

Distribution

Progress has been made with the continuing distribution system undertaking. During 2003, 384 km of mains were renovated. The Company is required to renovate a further 3,172 km of mains by 31 March 2010.

Lead

The Company’s Regulation 41 programme of work to meet the revised standard for lead set down in the new Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2000 has been progressing satisfactorily. Plumbosolvency treatment measures were installed at all sites specified in the programme by 25 December 2003.