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 280,462 tests on samples of water leaving its 161 water treatment works, from its 626 service reservoirs and from consumers’ taps in its 284 water supply zones. Of these, 99.93% (280,277 ) complied with the standards set down in the Regulations. However, 0.07% (185) 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 ten works were considered trivial or unlikely to recur. Single failures of the faecal coliform standard occurred at two works. These were regarded as trivial or unlikely to recur.

In 2003, 3,043 regulatory samples for Cryptosporidium were taken at nine sites. Very low numbers of oocysts were detected in eight samples from five 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.

Single failures of the faecal coliform standard at three service reservoirs were 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 = 284)*
		No	%		2003	2002	2001
Coliforms	19,194	74	0.39	11	0	0	0
Faecal coliforms	19,194	5	0.03	0	5	5	5
Colour	1,434	0	0.00	0	0	0	0
Turbidity	4,631	1	0.02	0	1	0	0
Odour	1,342	1	0.07	0	1	0	0
Taste	1,427	1	0.07	0	1	0	0
Hydrogen ion	1,689	1	0.06	0	1	0	0
Nitrate	5,899	1	0.02	0	1	1	1
Nitrite	2,455	6	0.24	0	3	3	2
Aluminium	1,744	1	0.06	0	1	1	3
Iron	5,822	25	0.43	10	18	25	23
Manganese	1,797	2	0.11	0	2	3	1
Lead	736	1	0.14	0	1	4	3
PAH	1,133	29	2.56	0	17	21	20
Trihalomethanes	810	0	0.00	0	0	0	0
Total pesticides	1,503	0	0.00	0	0	0	0
Atrazine	1,712	1	0.06	0	1	0	0
Other pesticides	51,207	0	0.00	0	0	0	0
Sulphate	688	0	0.00	0	0	0	1
All others	59,962	0	0.00	0	0	0	0
TOTAL	184,379	149	0.08
*285 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.

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	645	1.0 µg/l	0
Bromate	410	10.0 µg/l	0
1,2 dichloroethane	645	3.0 µg/l	0
Nitrite (exwater treatment works)	645	0.1 mg/l	0
Clostridium perfringens	296	0/100 ml	0
Enterococci	1,075	0/100 ml	1

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	252	10.0 µg/l	0	5.0 µg/l	0
Arsenic	252	50.0 µg/l	0	10.0 µg/l	0
Boron	252	2.0 mg/l	0	1.0 mg/l	0
Copper	292	3.0 mg/l	0	2.0 mg/l	0
Lead	736	50.0 µg/l	1	25.0 µg/l	5
				10.0 µg/l*	38
Nickel	252	50.0 µg/l	0	20.0 µg/l	0
Nitrite (at consumers’ taps)	2,456	0.1 mg/l	6	0.5 mg/l	0
PAH	1,133	0.2 µg/l	29	0.1 µg/l	0
Tetrachloroethene Trichloroethene	633 633	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 in place a number of 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 the vast majority 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 one recommendation regarding the correct nomenclature on the public record.

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 four regulatory breaches as well as a number of other minor deficiencies associated with the approved method set down in the Standard Operating Protocol Part 2. The Company has taken the required remedial action to rectify the deficiencies identified.

Audit of progress with water treatment works improvement programmes

Six schemes were selected for detailed audit and one site visit was carried out. The schemes audited were for nitrate at Oakley Farm treatment works; for arsenic at Astley, Lee Brockhurst and Preston Brockhurst treatment works; for chlorinated solvents at Whitley treatment works; and for Cryptosporidium at Llandinam treatment works. Progress with the schemes was generally satisfactory; however, the Company is required to take action on one issue associated with the scheme at Whitely. Additionally, there are outstanding issues associated with the Oakley Farm scheme which are the subject of further discussions with the Inspectorate.

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 generally satisfactory.

Audit trails of selected microbiological test results

Vertical audits were carried out on two test results selected at random for the period February 2002 to February 2003. The Company is being required to take action on deficiencies identified with analytical quality control.

Audit trails of selected nonmicrobiological test results

Vertical audits were carried out on 13 test results selected at random for the period May 2002 to April 2003. The Company is being required to take action on deficiencies identified with the method of analysis and calibration in respect of one parameter; and the construction of control charts in respect of one parameter. Deficiencies were also identified in the arrangements for reviewing control charts for many of the earlier samples but the Inspectorate accepts that Company’s laboratory has since introduced new procedures for such reviews. These will be followed up by the Inspectorate in the next audit.

Inspection of one water treatment works and two service reservoirs

Inspections were carried out at Whitacre water treatment works and at Corley and Meriden service reservoir sites. The general operation and management of the sites were satisfactory. However, the Company is being required to take action on a number of minor deficiencies identified at Whitacre WTW associated with the compliance sampling point; documentation regarding process diagrams and authorisations; and calibration of equipment; and in addition, deficiencies were noted at Meriden SR regarding randomisation of sampling and response to unsatisfactory results.

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 six events notified during 2003 as incidents. Further details of these incidents are given in the table below.

All 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.

During 2003, investigation was 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
Iron	Regulation 3(3)(c)	Sinfin, Chellaston & Shardlow water supply zone; Michelover, Mackworth, Hatton & Sudbury water supply zone; Duffield, Holbrook & Idringhay water supply zone	Undertaking agreed

Improvement programmes

Water treatment works/service reservoirs

Twentytwo Regulation 41 programmes of work to meet the new and revised standards set down in the new Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2000 were due for completion in 2003. These were to install treatment at 18 treatment works to remove arsenic; at two treatment works to remove THM; at two treatment works to remove bromate; and at one treatment works to remove solvents. The programmes were completed on schedule.

Eight statements of intent to reduce the risk of Cryptosporidium breaching the treatment standard were due for completion during 2003. Seven of the programmes were completed on or ahead of schedule. The remaining programme has been delayed due to land access issues which are beyond the control of the Company.

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

No other programmes of work associated with treatment works or service reservoirs were due for completion during 2003.

Distribution

Progress with the continuing distribution system undertaking was generally satisfactory. During 2003, 502 km of mains were renovated. The Company is required to renovate a further 247 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 been progressing satisfactorily. Plumbosolvency treatment measures were installed at all sites specified in the programme by 25 December 2003.