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 23,369 tests on samples of water leaving its 41 water treatment works, from its 20 service reservoirs and from consumers’ taps in its 23 water supply zones. Of these, 99.9% (23,346) complied with the standards set down in the Regulations. However, 0.1% (23) 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. There has been a significant decrease since 2001 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.

During 2003, failures of the total coliform standard at two works were considered trivial, and unlikely to recur.

Two failures of the faecal coliform standard occurred at two works. These were regarded as trivial or unlikely to recur.

In 2003, 1,306 regulatory samples for Cryptosporidium were taken at five sites. Very low numbers of oocysts were detected in 69 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

A comparison of the Company’s performance in 2003 with data for 2002 and 2001, is given below. There has been a significant decrease since 2001 in the number of service reservoirs in which total coliforms were detected. All other differences were not considered significant.

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

The failure of the faecal coliform standard at one service reservoir was considered trivial or unlikely to recur.

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 = 23)*
		No	%		2003	2002	2001
Coliforms	1,762	2	0.11	0	0	0	0
Faecal coliforms	1,762	0	0.00	0	0	1	0
Colour	143	0	0.00	0	0	0	0
Turbidity	154	0	0.00	0	0	0	0
Odour	160	0	0.00	0	0	0	0
Taste	160	0	0.00	0	0	0	0
Hydrogen ion	123	0	0.00	0	0	0	0
Nitrate	299	0	0.00	0	0	0	0
Nitrite	310	0	0.00	0	0	0	0
Aluminium	128	0	0.00	0	0	0	0
Iron	135	0	0.00	0	0	0	0
Manganese	119	0	0.00	0	0	0	0
Lead	357	0	0.00	0	0	0	1
PAH	104	13	12.50	0	6	4	2
Trihalomethanes	94	0	0.00	0	0	0	0
Total pesticides	116	0	0.00	0	0	0	0
Other pesticides	737	0	0.00	0	0	0	0
Alkalinity	91	0	0.00	0	0	0	0
Antimony	40	0	0.00	0	0	1	0
Sulphate	78	0	0.00	0	0	0	0
Surfactants	25	1	4.00	0	1	0	0
Temperature	1,761	0	0.00	0	0	1	0
Total Hardness	91	0	0.00	0	0	0	0
All others	2,686	0	0.00	0	0	0	0
TOTAL	11,435	16	0.14
*23 zones in 2002 and in 2001

 

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 of tests	New standard	Tests not meeting the new standard
Benzene	169	1.0 µg/l	0
Bromate	169	10.0 µg/l	0
1,2 dichloroethane	169	3.0 µg/l	0
Nitrite (exwater treatment works)	221	0.1 mg/l	1
Clostridium perfringens	171	0/100 ml	0
Enterococci	171	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		79	10.0 µg/l	0	5.0 µg/l	5
Arsenic		75	50.0 µg/l	0	10.0 µg/l	0
Boron		96	2.0 mg/l	0	1.0 mg/l	0
Copper		93	3.0 mg/l	0	2.0 mg/l	0
Lead		357	50.0 µg/l	0	25.0 µg/l	1
					10.0 µg/l*	6
Nickel		0	50.0 µg/l	0	20.0 µg/l	0
Nitrite (at consumers’ taps)		306	0.1 mg/l	0	0.5 mg/l	0
PAH		104	0.2 µg/l	13	0.1 µg/l	0
Tetrachloroethene Trichloroethene		93 93	10.0 µg/l 30.0 µg/l	0 0	} 10.0 µg/l	0
* Final standard not applicable until 2013

 

During 2003, the Company had a programme of work in place to meet the revised standard for lead.

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:

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

The announced audit on the Analytical Contractor’s Cryptosporidium laboratory identified ten regulatory breaches as well as a number of other minor deficiencies associated with the Standard Operating Protocol. The Analytical Contractor has undertaken 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 Cryptosporidium at Fishbourne, Soberton, Maindell and Lovedean treatment works. Progress with all four schemes 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 January 2003 to March 2003. The Company is being required to take action on deficiencies identified with the audit trail, laboratory practices and data.

Audit trails of selected nonmicrobiological test results

Vertical audits were carried out on four test results selected at random for the period October 2002 to April 2003. The Company is being required to take action on deficiencies identified with the construction of the AQC control chart for one parameter; the chain of custody between sampling and delivery to its contract laboratory for one sample; and for analytical deficiencies identified in respect of its contract laboratory in the timeliness of the analysis of one sample.

Inspection of one water treatment works and two service reservoirs

Inspections were carried out at Westergate water treatment works and Norehill and Slindon service reservoir sites. The operation and management of the treatment works/service reservoirs were satisfactory. However, the Company is being required to take action on a number of minor deficiencies associated with procedures and disinfection identified at Westergate works; the compliance point at Slindon service reservoir; site issues and investigation on failures at Slindon and Norehill service reservoirs.

Audit of sampling arrangements

Audits carried out on general sampling arrangements and on one sample round were satisfactory. A number of deficiencies were identified with the sample bottles and sampling lines.

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 none of the events notified during 2003 as incidents.

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
Nickel	Regulation 13(1)	All Water Supply Zones	Assurances given

Improvement programmes

Water treatment works/service reservoirs

One statement of intent to reduce the risk of Cryptosporidium breaching the treatment standard was due for completion during 2003. The programme at Farlington treatment works was completed on schedule.

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

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.