Drinking Water 2003
9 Folkestone and Dover Water Services Limited
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Overall water quality supplied by Folkestone and Dover Water Services Limited in 2003: |
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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 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 7,672 tests on samples of water leaving its 17 water treatment works, from its 13 service reservoirs and from consumers’ taps in its ten water supply zones. Of these, 99.92% (7,662) complied with the standards set down in the Regulations. However, 0.08% (six) 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.
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During 2003, the single failure of the total coliform standard at one works was considered trivial. The failure of the faecal coliform standard at one works was also regarded as trivial.
During 2003, the Company also reported single contraventions of the total coliform and faecal coliform standards at two further treatment works although these are not reported in the above table. Following extensive investigations by the Company, the Inspectorate is satisfied that the analytical results obtained were not representative of the water entering supply at that time and thus have excluded the relevant unsatisfactory results from the Company’s annual compliance assessment. However, the Company is required to retain these results on the public record together with an appropriate annotation.
In 2003, the Company took no regulatory samples for Cryptosporidium.
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.
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There were no failures of the total coliform or faecal coliform standard at any of the Company’s service reservoirs in 2003.
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 = 10)* |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No |
% |
2003 |
2002 |
2001 |
|||
| Coliforms | 504 |
1 |
0.20 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Faecal coliforms |
504 |
1 |
0.20 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
Colour |
40 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Turbidity |
159 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Odour |
46 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Taste |
46 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Hydrogen ion |
81 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Nitrate |
74 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Nitrite |
74 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Aluminium |
46 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Iron |
185 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
Manganese |
72 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
Lead |
55 |
2 |
3.64 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
PAH |
30 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
Trihalomethanes |
13 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Benzo(3,4) Pyrene |
30 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
Total pesticides |
36 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Simazine |
24 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
Other pesticides |
242 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
All others |
731 |
0 |
0.00 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
TOTAL |
2,992 |
4 |
0.13 |
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*10 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 |
New standard |
Tests not meeting |
|---|---|---|---|
of tests |
the new standard |
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| Benzene | 145 |
1.0 µg/l |
0 |
| Bromate | 74 |
10.0 µg/l |
0 |
| 1,2 dichloroethane | 147 |
3.0 µg/l |
0 |
| Nitrite (ex-water treatment works) | 0 |
0.1 mg/l |
N/a |
| Clostridium perfringens | 99 |
0/100 ml |
0 |
| Enterococci | 105 |
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 | 10 |
10.0 µg/l |
0 |
5.0 µg/l |
0 |
|
| Arsenic | 10 |
50.0 µg/l |
0 |
10.0 µg/l |
0 |
|
| Boron | 10 |
2.0 mg/l |
0 |
1.0 mg/l |
0 |
|
| Copper | 10 |
3.0 mg/l |
0 |
2.0 mg/l |
0 |
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| Lead | 55 |
50.0 µg/l |
2 |
25.0 µg/l |
7 |
|
| 10.0 µg/l* |
14 |
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| Nickel | 10 |
50.0 µg/l |
0 |
20.0 µg/l |
0 |
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| Nitrite (at consumers’ taps) | 74 |
0.1 mg/l |
0 |
0.5 mg/l |
0 |
|
| PAH | 30 |
0.2 µg/l |
0 |
0.1 µg/l |
0 |
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| Tetrachloroethene Trichloroethene |
13 13 |
10.0 µg/l 30.0 µg/l |
0 0 |
} 10.0 µg/l |
0 |
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| * 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 but one of the recommendations arising from the 2002 audit and inspection process and from assessments of water quality incidents. Further action is to be taken in respect of a single recommendation regarding the scheduling of compliance samples.
Audit of progress with water treatment works improvement programmes
A desktop audit of two schemes associated with improvement programmes at water treatment works was carried out and one site visit. Progress with the scheme for arsenic at Denge treatment works was considered satisfactory. However, there are minor issues arising with progress of the scheme for Cryptosporidium at Drellingore treatment works that require resolving by the Company.
Review of distribution system undertaking
Progress with investigations for the Company’s distribution system undertaking was found to be generally satisfactory. However, the Company is required to submit a replacement undertaking to reflect a change of requirements.
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
A vertical audit was carried out on one test result selected at random for the period March 2003. There were no significant deficiencies identified.
Audit trails of selected nonmicrobiological test results
Vertical audits were carried out on four test results selected at random for the period January to July 2003. The Company is being required to take action on deficiencies identified with sample scheduling and the regularity of sampling for one parameter.
Inspection of one water treatment works and two service reservoirs
Inspections were carried out at Rakeshole South water treatment works and Paddlesworth and Chalksole service reservoir sites. The operation and management of all of the treatment works and service reservoirs inspected was satisfactory. However, the Company is being required to take action on two minor deficiencies associated with an automatic shutdown system at Rakeshole South water treatment works and arrangements for the audit of chemical suppliers used by the Company.
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. The Company was commended for its supervisory arrangements.
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.
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 generally satisfactory. However, continuing land acquisition issues have delayed installation of the dosing plant at Chalksole SR.
Incidents
The Inspectorate regarded none of the events notified during 2003 as incidents.
Enforcement action
No enforcement action was considered for the Company as a result of the Inspectorate’s activities during 2003.
Improvement programmes
Water treatment works/service reservoirs
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 Denge to remove arsenic. The programme was completed on schedule.
One statement of intent to reduce the risk of Cryptosporidium breaching the treatment standards was due for completion during 2003. The programme at Drellingore was not completed on schedule but this was due to reasons beyond the control of the Company.
No other improvement programmes associated with treatment works and service reservoirs were due for completion during 2003.
Distribution
Progress with investigations for the Company’s distribution system undertaking was generally satisfactory. However, these showed that much less renovation was required than anticipated. No mains were renovated during 2003. The Company is now required to renovate 16 km of mains by 31 March 2005.
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 generally been progressing satisfactorily. Plumbosolvency treatment measures were installed at all but one of the sites specified in the programme by 25 December 2003. Installation of treatment at Chalksole SR has been delayed due to land acquisition issues beyond the control of the Company.
