Drinking Water 2003
16 South Staffordshire Water Plc
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Overall water quality supplied by South Staffordshire Water Plc 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 37,223 tests on samples of water leaving its 22 water treatment works, from its 37 service reservoirs and from consumers’ taps in its 39 water supply zones. Of these, 99.91% (37,189) complied with the standards set down in the Regulations. However, 0.09% (34) 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, and unlikely to recur.
No failures of the faecal coliform standard occurred at any works.
In 2003, 788 regulatory samples for Cryptosporidium were taken from one site. Very low numbers of oocysts were detected in six samples from the site. 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.
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During 2003, total coliforms were occasionally detected at four 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 = 39)* |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
No
|
%
|
2003
|
2002
|
2001
|
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| Coliforms |
3,767
|
18
|
0.48
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| Faecal coliforms |
3,767
|
1
|
0.03
|
0
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
| Colour |
671
|
0
|
0.00
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| Turbidity |
891
|
0
|
0.00
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| Odour |
683
|
0
|
0.00
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
| Taste |
683
|
0
|
0.00
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| Hydrogen ion |
676
|
0
|
0.00
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| Nitrate |
838
|
1
|
0.12
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
4
|
| Nitrite |
683
|
0
|
0.00
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
| Aluminium |
891
|
2
|
0.22
|
0
|
2
|
1
|
0
|
| Iron |
891
|
2
|
0.22
|
0
|
2
|
5
|
4
|
| Manganese |
891
|
0
|
0.00
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
| Lead |
475
|
1
|
0.21
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
| PAH |
265
|
2
|
0.75
|
0
|
2
|
1
|
0
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| Trihalomethanes |
232
|
0
|
0.00
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
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| Total pesticides |
546
|
0
|
0.00
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
| Other pesticides |
1,272
|
0
|
0.00
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
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| Phosphorus |
86
|
1
|
1.16
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
0
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| Sodium |
320
|
1
|
0.31
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
0
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| All others |
9,225
|
0
|
0.00
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
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| TOTAL |
27,753
|
29
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0.10
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| *40 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 |
184
|
1.0 µg/l |
0
|
| Bromate |
184
|
10.0 µg/l |
0
|
| 1,2 dichloroethane |
208
|
3.0 µg/l |
0
|
| Nitrite (exwater treatment works) |
1,411
|
0.1 mg/l
|
0
|
| Clostridium perfringens |
189
|
0/100 ml
|
2
|
| Enterococci |
234
|
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 |
77
|
10.0 µg/l |
0
|
5.0 µg/l |
0
|
|
Arsenic
|
77
|
50.0 µg/l |
0
|
10.0 µg/l |
0
|
|
Boron
|
320
|
2.0 mg/l
|
0
|
1.0 mg/l
|
0
|
|
Copper
|
468
|
3.0 mg/l
|
0
|
2.0 mg/l
|
0
|
|
Lead
|
475
|
50.0 µg/l |
1
|
25.0 µg/l |
5
|
|
|
10.0 µg/l* |
34
|
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Nickel
|
78
|
50.0 µg/l |
0
|
20.0 µg/l |
0
|
|
Nitrite (at consumers’ taps) |
683
|
0.1 mg/l
|
0
|
0.5 mg/l
|
0
|
|
PAH
|
265
|
0.2 µg/l |
2
|
0.1 µg/l |
0
|
|
Tetrachloroethene Trichloroethene
|
232 |
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 has a number of programmes of work in place 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 of the recommendations arising from the 2002 audit and inspection process and from assessments of water quality incidents.
Audit of regulatory Cryptosporidium monitoring sites
The monitoring equipment at all regulatory sites visited during the year was found to be satisfactory.
Audit of regulatory Cryptosporidium samplers
The audit of the sampler responsible for taking regulatory Cryptosporidium samples was satisfactory.
Inspection of laboratory analysing for Cryptosporidium
An unannounced audit on the Company’s Cryptosporidium laboratory was satisfactory.
The announced audit on the Analytical Contractor’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 laboratory has taken the required remedial action to rectify the deficiencies identified.
Audit of membrane treatment plants and membrane integrity testing system
An audit of the two membrane treatment sites and the system of membrane integrity testing was found to be satisfactory.
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. These were for nitrates at Ashwood/Hinksford treatment works, and for arsenic at Fradley treatment works. Site visits were also undertaken to Fradley and to Trent Valley works in respect of the improvement programmes for arsenic removal and nitrate blending respectively. Progress of all the schemes audited was considered satisfactory.
Audit trails of selected microbiological test results
Vertical audits were carried out on two test results selected at random for the period March 2002 to February 2003. The Company is being required to take action on deficiencies identified with analytical media in one sample and analytical control in both samples.
Audit trails of selected nonmicrobiological test results
Vertical audits were carried out on eight test results selected at random for the period May 2002 to March 2003. The Company is being required to take action on deficiencies identified with the timeliness of analysis 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 contract laboratory has since introduced new procedures for such reviews. These will be followed up by the Inspectorate in the next audit.
Audit of analytical requirements for nitrate and nitrite
Vertical audits were carried out of nitrate/nitrite samples taken in a single water supply zone over a sixmonth period to assess any changes in analytical requirements over time. The Company is being required to take action on analytical deficiencies identified in respect of its contract laboratory, particularly in relation to AQC.
Inspection of one water treatment works and one service reservoir
Inspections were carried out at Hopwas water treatment works and Glascote service reservoir sites. The operation and management of the treatment works and service reservoirs were satisfactory. However, the Company is being required to take action on a number of minor deficiencies associated with SCADA alarms.
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.
Audit of work on distribution system
An inspection was carried out on a small mains laying project at Streetly. The operation and management of the project were satisfactory. The Company is being required to take action on one minor deficiency identified during the inspection, regarding the hypochlorite solution used onsite for sterilisation of equipment and mains.
Assessment of procedures for working on under pressure systems
A desktop assessment of the Company’s protocols and procedures for the drilling and tapping of underpressure mains systems was carried out. The procedures and systems in place were satisfactory.
Audit of an analytical laboratory
An audit of one of the Company’s analytical contract laboratories was carried out. The audit identified a number of deficiencies regarding traceability, calibration and analytical quality control within the laboratory. The laboratory was required to take action on these deficiencies, and a followup inspection carried out later in 2003 confirmed that corrective action had been taken on a number of issues.
Incidents
The Inspectorate regarded two events notified during 2003 as incidents. Further details of these incidents are given in the table below.
Nature of incident Assessment completed during 2003
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Enforcement action
No enforcement action was considered for the Company as a result of the Inspectorate activities during 2003.
Improvement programmes
Water treatment works/service reservoirs
Two 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 Ashwood to remove nitrates, and at Fradley to remove arsenic. The programmes were completed on schedule.
One statement of intent to reduce the risk of Cryptosporidium breaching the treatment standard at Mayfield treatment works was due for completion during 2003. The programme 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.
