Drinking Water 2003

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 30,223 tests on samples of water leaving its 30 water treatment works, from its 66 service reservoirs and from consumers’ taps in its 20 water supply zones. Of these, 99.92% (30,199) complied with the standards set down in the Regulations. However, 0.08% (24) 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, the failures of the total coliform standard at two works were considered trivial and unlikely to recur.

There were no failures of the faecal coliform standard at any works.

The Company has no sites for regulatory Cryptosporidium monitoring.

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 or faecal coliform standard at any service reservoir.

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 = 20)*
		No	%		2003	2002	2001
Coliforms	1,580	2	0.13	0	0	0	0
Faecal coliforms	1,580	0	0.00	0	0	0	1
Colour	202	0	0.00	0	0	0	0
Turbidity	422	0	0.00	0	0	0	0
Odour	62	0	0.00	0	0	0	0
Taste	62	0	0.00	0	0	0	0
Hydrogen ion	202	0	0.00	0	0	0	0
Nitrate	202	0	0.00	0	0	0	1
Nitrite	202	0	0.00	0	0	0	0
Aluminium	96	0	0.00	0	0	0	0
Iron	1,099	9	0.82	6	6	5	6
Manganese	430	0	0.00	0	0	2	2
Lead	137	0	0.00	0	0	0	0
PAH	140	7	5.00	0	3	2	2
Trihalomethanes	26	0	0.00	0	0	0	0
Total pesticides	602	0	0.00	0	0	0	0
Other pesticides	7,172	0	0.00	0	0	0	0
All others	3,563	0	0.00	0	0	0	0
TOTAL	17,779	18	0.10
*21 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 are given by the Company and require remedial work to be carried out to ensure compliance with the individual 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 of tests	New standard	Tests not meeting the new standard
Benzene	115	1.0 µg/l	0
Bromate	6	10.0 µg/l	0
1,2 dichloroethane	115	3.0 µg/l	0
Nitrite (exwater treatment works)	249	0.1 mg/l	0
Clostridium perfringens	4	0/100ml	0
Enterococci	81	0/100ml	0

Compliance data for 2003 has 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		21	10.0 µg/l	0	5.0 µg/l	0
Arsenic		23	50.0 µg/l	0	10.0 µg/l	0
Boron		22	2.0 mg/l	0	1.0 mg/l	0
Copper		24	3.0 mg/l	0	2.0 mg/l	0
Lead		137	50.0 µg/l	0	25.0 µg/l	0
					10.0 µg/l*	4
Nickel		22	50.0 µg/l	0	20.0 µg/l	1
Nitrite (at consumers taps)		202	0.1 mg/l	0	0.5 mg/l	0
PAH		140	0.2 µg/l	7	0.1 µg/l	0
Tetrachloroethene Trichloroethene		26 26	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 a programme of work 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 progress with water treatmenter treatment works improvement programmes

A desk top audit of nine schemes associated with improvement programmes at water treatment works was carried out together with two site visits. The schemes were for iron at Hockers Lane and Goudhurst treatment works, and Charing, Henwood, Halling and Forstal pumping stations; for pesticides at Bewl Bridge treatment works; for sodium, fluoride and chloride at Ford pumping station; and for Cryptosporidium at Wichling pumping station. Eight schemes have been completed and progress with the other scheme was considered satisfactory.

Review of distribution system undertaking

Progress with the programme of mains renovation set out in the Company’s continuing distribution system undertaking was found to be satisfactory.

Audit of response to selected consumer complaints

A desk top audit of the Company’s response to 12 consumer complaints about drinking water quality was carried out. Deficiencies associated with the time taken to resolve some complaints were identified.

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 May 2003. The Company is being required to take action on deficiencies identified with the commencement of analysis on both samples and the usefulness of the AQC data from analysis in relation to one sample.

Audit trails of selected nonmicrobiological test results

Vertical audits were carried out on four test results selected at random for the period January to May 2003. The Company is being required to take action for deficiencies identified with the sample scheduling in relation to one sample and for analytical deficiencies identified in respect of its contract laboratory for the method of analysis and timeliness of analysis in relation to another sample.

Inspection of one water treatment works and one service reservoir

Inspections were carried out at Chilham water treatment works and Potters Corner 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 deficiencies associated with calibration, record keeping and maintenance identified at Chilham water treatment works, and minor deficiencies associated with the site at Potters Corner service reservoir.

Audit of sampling arrangements

An audit was carried out on general sampling arrangements of a sample round. A number of deficiencies were identified with transport of samples, training and equipment

Audit of plumbosolvency treatment and control programmes

Progress with the programme of work for plumbosolvency treatment and control measures for lead was generally satisfactory, although commissioning of the dosing plants had not been completed at the time of the audit.

Incidents

No incidents were notified by the Company during 2003.

Enforcement action

In 2003, no enforcement action was taken by the Inspectorate against Mid Kent Water.

Improvement programmes

Water treatment works/service reservoirs

One statement of intent for meeting the pesticide standard was due for completion during 2003. The programme was completed on schedule.

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

Distribution

Progress with the continuing distribution system undertaking was satisfactory. During 2003, 108 km of mains were renovated. The Company is required to renovate a further 111 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 sites specified in the programme by 25 December 2003 but had not been fully commissioned.