CIR 2003 - Introduction

This Report is intended for the reader wanting general information about the work of the Inspectorate and the quality of drinking water supplies.

Whilst briefly covering the full range of the Inspectorate's activities, this Report focuses on the extent to which water companies comply with the legal requirements concerning drinking water quality, and the actions taken by the water companies and the Inspectorate where requirements are not being met.

All companies have complied with all the Regulations except where noted, and they are generally committed to improvement programmes to deal with those relatively few instances where regulations are breached.

It is vital, for a correct understanding of the sections on individual companies, to read the report as a whole. In particular, the chapter following this introduction provides an aid to understanding the regulatory framework in which the Inspectorate and water companies operate.

About this report

The main body of this report is divided into three parts. The content of each part is outlined below.

Part 1 - Overview of Water Quality in England and Wales

This part of the report gives an overview of the water quality in England and Wales as derived from the compliance data of all companies, and comments on the findings. In addition, it provides comparisons of the performance of individual water companies.

Part 2 - Individual Water Company Performance in 2003

This part of the report contains sections on each of the 26 individual water companies in England and Wales, reporting on the water quality results for 2003. This includes one company that is not a statutory water company but has been granted an inset appointment.

The water company sections also report on the outcome of inspections and audits, enforcement action initiated, progress with improvement programmes, assessment of incidents and outcome of any prosecutions initiated.

Part 3 - Inspectorate Objectives and Key Results

This part of the report describes the main activities of the Inspectorate as follows:

Chapter A - Code for Enforcement and Performance Measurement - gives details of the Inspectorate’s Code for Enforcement and its performance against the targets set out in the Code for 2003.
Chapter B - Technical Audit of Water Companies - details the scope and implementation of the technical audit process and the topics covered in the Company audits and inspections for 2003.
Chapter C - Events Affecting Water Quality - provides a breakdown and analysis of the incidents and events notified to the Inspectorate during 2003 in which water quality had deteriorated, and summarises any prosecutions initiated as a consequence of prior incidents.
Chapter D - Enquiries and Consumer Complaints - provides a summary of water quality complaints and enquiries received and processed by the Inspectorate during 2003.

Chapter E - Enforcement action and improvement programmes - reports on progress with improvement programmes and summarises enforcement action undertaken during 2003.
Chapter F - Drinking Water Research - describes current Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs water quality and health research programmes which are overseen by the Inspectorate. It reports on programmes completed during 2003 and on programmes still in progress.
Chapter G - Cryptosporidium Regulations - gives details of the water companies activities with regard to the Cryptosporidum Regulations.
Chapter H - Technical Advice on Drinking Water Issues, Policies and Standards - details advice provided by the Inspectorate in 2003 in relation to drinking water quality issues, policies and standards, and its representation on National and International Organisations.
Chapter I - Products and Processes in the provision of Water Supplies - describes the regulation of products and processes used in the supply of water.
Chapter J - New Regulations and Associated Programmes of Work - outlines the changes being introduced with the new Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2000 (2001 in Wales).
Chapter K - Chapter K Periodic Review 2004 - describes the process of price review for the Water Companies during the period 2005 - 2010.

The report finishes with the following Annexes:

Publications, presentations and lectures - given during 2003;
Staffing - a list of staff in post during 2003; and
Definitions and glossary of terms.

Further Information

The reader wanting greater depth of coverage and more technical detail, and further insight on certain topics, should visit the Inspectorate's website at: www.dwi.gov.uk.

This Report has a companion leaflet called "How Good is the Drinking Water". The leaflet summarises the overall drinking water quality in England and Wales in 2003, and is available free of charge from: DEFRA Publications, Admail 6000, London, SW1A 2XX (fax 020 8957 5012). It may also be viewed on the Inspectorate's website.

Drinking Water 2003

About this report

Part 1 - Overview of Water Quality in England and Wales

Part 2 - Individual Water Company Performance in 2003

Part 3 - Inspectorate Objectives and Key Results

Further Information

Drinking Water Inspectorate

	Drinking Water 2003

Introduction This Report is intended for the reader wanting general information about the work of the Inspectorate and the quality of drinking water supplies. Whilst briefly covering the full range of the Inspectorate's activities, this Report focuses on the extent to which water companies comply with the legal requirements concerning drinking water quality, and the actions taken by the water companies and the Inspectorate where requirements are not being met. All companies have complied with all the Regulations except where noted, and they are generally committed to improvement programmes to deal with those relatively few instances where regulations are breached. It is vital, for a correct understanding of the sections on individual companies, to read the report as a whole. In particular, the chapter following this introduction provides an aid to understanding the regulatory framework in which the Inspectorate and water companies operate. About this report The main body of this report is divided into three parts. The content of each part is outlined below. Part 1 - Overview of Water Quality in England and Wales This part of the report gives an overview of the water quality in England and Wales as derived from the compliance data of all companies, and comments on the findings. In addition, it provides comparisons of the performance of individual water companies. Part 2 - Individual Water Company Performance in 2003 This part of the report contains sections on each of the 26 individual water companies in England and Wales, reporting on the water quality results for 2003. This includes one company that is not a statutory water company but has been granted an inset appointment. The water company sections also report on the outcome of inspections and audits, enforcement action initiated, progress with improvement programmes, assessment of incidents and outcome of any prosecutions initiated. Part 3 - Inspectorate Objectives and Key Results This part of the report describes the main activities of the Inspectorate as follows: Chapter A - Code for Enforcement and Performance Measurement - gives details of the Inspectorate’s Code for Enforcement and its performance against the targets set out in the Code for 2003. Chapter B - Technical Audit of Water Companies - details the scope and implementation of the technical audit process and the topics covered in the Company audits and inspections for 2003. Chapter C - Events Affecting Water Quality - provides a breakdown and analysis of the incidents and events notified to the Inspectorate during 2003 in which water quality had deteriorated, and summarises any prosecutions initiated as a consequence of prior incidents. Chapter D - Enquiries and Consumer Complaints - provides a summary of water quality complaints and enquiries received and processed by the Inspectorate during 2003. Chapter E - Enforcement action and improvement programmes - reports on progress with improvement programmes and summarises enforcement action undertaken during 2003. Chapter F - Drinking Water Research - describes current Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs water quality and health research programmes which are overseen by the Inspectorate. It reports on programmes completed during 2003 and on programmes still in progress. Chapter G - Cryptosporidium Regulations - gives details of the water companies activities with regard to the Cryptosporidum Regulations. Chapter H - Technical Advice on Drinking Water Issues, Policies and Standards - details advice provided by the Inspectorate in 2003 in relation to drinking water quality issues, policies and standards, and its representation on National and International Organisations. Chapter I - Products and Processes in the provision of Water Supplies - describes the regulation of products and processes used in the supply of water. Chapter J - New Regulations and Associated Programmes of Work - outlines the changes being introduced with the new Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2000 (2001 in Wales). Chapter K - Chapter K Periodic Review 2004 - describes the process of price review for the Water Companies during the period 2005 - 2010. The report finishes with the following Annexes: Publications, presentations and lectures - given during 2003; Staffing - a list of staff in post during 2003; and Definitions and glossary of terms. Further Information The reader wanting greater depth of coverage and more technical detail, and further insight on certain topics, should visit the Inspectorate's website at: www.dwi.gov.uk. This Report has a companion leaflet called "How Good is the Drinking Water". The leaflet summarises the overall drinking water quality in England and Wales in 2003, and is available free of charge from: DEFRA Publications, Admail 6000, London, SW1A 2XX (fax 020 8957 5012). It may also be viewed on the Inspectorate's website.