15 South East Water Plc

Overall water quality supplied by South East Water Plc in 2003:

64,903 tests were carried out on samples taken by South East Water Plc in 2003.
99.81% of these tests complied with the Regulations.

Company Information
Amount of Water Supplied:	359.84 Ml/d
Consumers Supplied:	1.461 million
Areas of Supply:	Parts of Hampshire, Berkshire,
	Surrey, West Sussex, East
	Sussex and Kent
Water Composition:	28% from rivers and reservoirs
	72% from boreholes and aquifers
Treatment Works:	61
Service Reservoirs:	172
Km of Mains:	9,665
Water Supply Zones:	90

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 64,903 tests on samples of water leaving its 61 water treatment works, from its 172 service reservoirs and from consumers’ taps in its 90 water supply zones. Of these, 99.81% (64,778) complied with the standards set down in the Regulations. However, 0.19% (125) 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. There has been a significant decrease since 2001 in the number of treatment works, and in the number of tests carried out on samples from treatment works, in which total coliforms were detected. All other differences were not considered significant.

During 2003, the failures of the total coliform standard at two works were considered trivial.

One failure of the faecal coliform standard occurred at one works. This was regarded as trivial.

In 2003, 3,465 regulatory samples for Cryptosporidium were taken at 12 sites. Very low numbers of oocysts were detected in six samples from three 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. There has been a significant decrease since 2001 in the number of service reservoirs, and in the number of tests carried out on samples from service reservoirs, in which total coliforms were detected. All other differences were not considered significant.

During 2003, there were failures of the total coliform standard at Chillies No 1 service reservoir. The failures were not considered trivial but the Company has taken remedial action.

There were no failures of the faecal coliform standard at service reservoirs.

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 = 90)*
		No	%		2003	2002	2001
Coliforms	4,213	54	1.28	0	3	1	0
Faecal coliforms	4,213	1	0.02	0	1	2	5
Colour	380	0	0.00	0	0	0	0
Turbidity	516	0	0.00	0	0	1	1
Odour	436	0	0.00	0	0	0	1
Taste	415	0	0.00	0	0	0	0
Hydrogen ion	924	0	0.00	0	0	0	0
Nitrate	493	0	0.00	0	0	0	0
Nitrite	388	6	1.55	0	1	1	0
Aluminium	413	0	0.00	0	0	0	0
Iron	1,027	10	0.97	7	7	9	13
Manganese	486	0	0.00	0	0	0	1
Lead	290	4	1.38	0	2	0	3
PAH	489	36	7.36	0	17	12	14
Trihalomethanes	251	0	0.00	0	0	0	0
Total pesticides	638	0	0.00	0	0	0	0
Other pesticides	9,734	0	0.00	0	0	0	0
Faecal Streptococci	0	0	0.00	0	0	1	0
Oxidizability	105	0	0.00	0	0	0	1
All others	6,093	0	0.00	0	0	0	0
TOTAL	31,504	111	0.35
*90 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	531	1.0 µg/l	0
Bromate	546	10.0 µg/l	2
1,2 dichloroethane	532	3.0 µg/l	0
Nitrite (exwater treatment works)	213	0.1 mg/l	0
Clostridium perfringens	519	0/100 ml	0
Enterococci	532	0/100 ml	4

Compliance data for 2003 have also been analysed against the revised standards and the results are shown in the following table.

Parameter		Current standard	Number of tests not meeting current standard	Revised standard	Number of tests not meeting revised standard
Antimony	79	10.0 µg/l	0	5.0 µg/l	0
Arsenic	90	50.0 µg/l	0	10.0 µg/l	1
Boron	79	2.0 mg/l	0	1.0 mg/l	0
Copper	105	3.0 mg/l	0	2.0 mg/l	0
Lead	290	50.0 µg/l	4	25.0 µg/l	6
				10.0 µg/l*	9
Nickel	90	50.0 µg/l	0	20.0 µg/l	0
Nitrite (at consumers’ taps)	388	0.1 mg/l	6	0.5 mg/l	0
PAH	489	0.2 µg/l	36	0.1 µg/l	0
Tetrachloroethene Trichloroethene	122 122	10.0 µg/l 30.0 µg/l	0 0	} 10.0 µg/l	16

* Final standard not applicable until 2013

During 2003, the Company had in place a programme of work to meet the revised standards for chlorinated solvents.

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 most of the recommendations arising from the 2002 audit and inspection process and from assessments of water quality incidents. A further recommendation was made for action to be taken in respect of one recommendation first made in 2002.

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 one of the samplers responsible for taking regulatory Cryptosporidium samples was satisfactory.

Inspection of laboratory analysing for Cryptosporidium

The announced audit on the Company’s Cryptosporidium laboratory identified ten regulatory breaches as well as a number of other minor deficiencies associated with the Standard Operating Protocol. The Company has undertaken remedial action to rectify the deficiencies identified.

Audit of membrane treatment plants and membrane integrity testing system

An audit of one membrane treatment site 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 the improvement programmes for Cryptosporidium at Beenhams Heath, Itchel and Hartlake treatment works was carried out. Additionally, site visits were undertaken at Bray Gravels and Beenhams Heath (improvement programmes for Cryptosporidium), and Maidenhead (improvement programme for chlorinated solvents). Progress with the schemes at Bray Gravels and Maidenhead was satisfactory; however, the schemes for Beenhams Heath, Itchel and Hartlake treatment works have been delayed due to a number of issues associated with the selection of preferred options for treatment.

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. However, the Company is being required to take action on one minor deficiency associated with reporting of the outcome of renovation activity.

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

Vertical audits were carried out on two test results selected at random for the period of February 2003. The Company is being required to take action on deficiencies identified with AQC on both samples.

Audit trails of selected nonmicrobiological test results

Vertical audits were carried out on eight test results selected at random for the period July 2002 to January 2003. The Company is being required to take action on deficiencies identified with instrument records and calibration for thermometers; the accountability of a missing parameter from the public record in relation to one sample; the limit of detection quoted on the public record in relation to one sample; and follow up action to a pcv exceedence in relation to one sample.

Inspection of six water treatment works and five service reservoirs

Inspections were carried out at Cow Wish Bottom, East Meon, Filching, Offham, Oakshott Springs at Sheet and Sheet water treatment works; and at Claypits, Froxfield Tower, Offham, Saltdown and Windover 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 minor deficiencies associated with management of water sources identified at Oakshott Springs, Sheet, Offham, Cow Wish Bottom and East Meon works; chemical dosing arrangements and monitoring of treatment identified at Oakshott Springs, Cow Wish Bottom and Sheet works; compliance sampling arrangements at Oakshott Springs, Cow Wish Bottom, Sheet and Filching works; site management at East Meon works; and maintenance at Claypits, Offham, Saltdown and Windover service reservoirs. The Company is also being required to take action on significant structural deficiencies identified at Saltdown service reservoir.

Audit of sampling arrangements

Audits were carried out on general sampling arrangements and one sample round. A number of deficiencies were identified with procedures and sampler training and supervision. The Company is being required to take action on a number of minor deficiencies identified during the sampling round.

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 procedures relating to mains operations by company and contract staff

Audits of Company procedures were found to be satisfactory. However, the Company is being required to take action on a number of minor deficiencies associated with the management of contractors.

Incidents

The Inspectorate regarded one event notified during 2003 as an incident. Further details of the incident is given in the table below.

The incident is still under consideration.

Nature of incident	Assessment completed during 2003
Taste and odour
Diesel odour in supplies to a school in Maidenhead in November 2003 as a result of permeation of plastic pipes from ground contaminated by an oil spill.	No

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 Maidenhead treatment works to remove chlorinated solvents. The programme was completed on schedule.

Three statements of intent to reduce the risk of Cryptosporidium breaching the treatment standards were due for completion during 2003. One of the programmes was completed on schedule. The delay with the remaining two programmes occurred for reasons not within the Company’s control.

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

Distribution

Work associated with the continuing distribution system undertaking was generally satisfactory. During 2003, 223 km of mains were renovated. The Company is required to renovate a further 266 km of mains by 31 December 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.