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 21,112 tests on samples of water leaving its nine water treatment works, from its 32 service reservoirs and from consumers’ taps in its 21 water supply zones. Of these, 99.76% (21,061) complied with the standards set down in the Regulations. However, 0.24% (51) 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, a single failure of the total coliform standard at one works was considered trivial and unlikely to recur.

In 2003, 365 regulatory samples for Cryptosporidium were taken from one site. No oocysts were detected in any of the samples from the site. Therefore, there was no failure of the treatment standard. Additionally, 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, one coliform was detected at one service reservoir. 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 the prescribed concentration or value		Number of failures covered by Undertakings	Number of zones not complying with the standards (number of zones in 2003 = 21)*
		No	%		2003	2002	2001
Coliforms	1,704	4	0.23	0	0	0	0
Faecal coliforms	1,704	0	0.00	0	0	0	0
Colour	184	0	0.00	0	0	0	0
Turbidity	451	1	0.22	1	1	0	0
Odour	184	0	0.00	0	0	0	0
Taste	184	0	0.00	0	0	0	0
Hydrogen ion	972	0	0.00	0	0	0	0
Nitrate	184	0	0.00	0	0	0	0
Nitrite	296	44	14.86	0	4	4	4
Aluminium	184	0	0.00	0	0	0	0
Iron	354	0	0.00	0	0	2	4
Manganese	99	0	0.00	0	0	0	0
Lead	1,704	0	0.00	0	0	2	1
PAH	84	0	0.00	0	0	0	1
Trihalomethanes	84	0	0.00	0	0	0	0
Total pesticides	171	0	0.00	0	0	0	0
Other pesticides	1,539	0	0.00	0	0	0	0
Total Hardness	32	0	0.00	0	0	1	0
All others	2,859	0	0.00	0	0	0	0
TOTAL	12,973	49	0.38
*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	33	1.0 µg/l	0
Bromate	33	10.0 µg/l	0
1,2 dichloroethane	33	3.0 µg/l	0
Nitrite (exwater treatment works)	222	0.1 mg/l	0
Clostridium perfringens	26	0/100ml	0
Enterococci	96	0/100ml	0

Compliance data for 2003 have 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		21	50.0 µg/l	0	10.0 µg/l	0
Boron		21	2.0 mg/l	0	1.0 mg/l	0
Copper		84	3.0 mg/l	0	2.0 mg/l	0
Lead		1704	50.0 µg/l	0	25.0 µg/l	3
					10.0 µg/l*	27
Nickel		21	50.0 µg/l	0	20.0 µg/l	0
Nitrite (at consumers’ taps)		296	0.1 mg/l	44	0.5 mg/l	0
PAH		84	0.2 µg/l	0	0.1 µg/l	0
Tetrachloroethene Trichloroethene		84 84	10.0 µg/l 30.0 µg/l	0 0	} 10.0 µg/l	0
* Final standard not applicable until 2013

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 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

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

Audit of progress with water treatmenter treatment works improvement programmes

Progress with the improvement programmes for Cryptosporidium at Dorking and Elmer water treatment works was reviewed. The Company had not installed a treatment process at either works by the date specified in the programmes of work. A revised programme of work to install and monitor treatment at both works has since been agreed.

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 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 December 2002 to January 2003. The Company is being required to take action on minor deficiencies identified with duration of incubation.

Audit trails of selected nonmicrobiological test results

Vertical audits were carried out on four test results selected at random for the period January to April 2003. No significant deficiencies were identified with the sampling, analysis and reporting of the respective samples.

Audit of analytical requirements for nitrate and nitrite

Vertical audits were carried out of nitrate and/or nitrite samples taken in a single water supply zone over a six month period to assess any changes in analytical requirements over time. The Company is being required to take action on deficiencies identified with sample scheduling, calibration and analytical conditions, and the reporting of results.

Inspection of one water treatment works and two service reservoirs.

Inspections were carried out at Elmer water treatment works and Burgh Heath and Rusper Tower 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 some minor deficiencies associated with the chemical delivery points and compliance sample points identified at Elmer water treatment works, and a faulty cover seal at Burgh Heath service reservoir.

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

The incident was fully investigated and assessed by the Inspectorate during 2003. It was of relatively short duration and, where applicable, the Company took appropriate action to protect public health.

Nature of incident	Assessment completed during 2003
Coliforms detected in supply
In July 2003, the Company detected coliforms in distribution 2003 following work on the distribution system in the Reigate area. Some 1557 properties were potentially affected.	Yes

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

Two statements of intent to reduce the risk of Cryptosporidium breaching the treatment standard were due for completion during 2003. The programmes were not completed on schedule due to the Company reviewing its preferred option of treatment. Revised statements of intent for both schemes have been agreed.

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

Distribution

Progress with the continuing distribution system undertaking was satisfactory. During 2003, 67 km of mains were renovated. The Company is required to renovate a further nine km of mains by 30 June 2004.

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 uprated at all sites specified in the programme by 25 December 2003.