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 262,718 tests on samples of water leaving its 86 water treatment works, from its 400 service reservoirs and from consumers’ taps in its 190 water supply zones. Of these, 99.95% (262,581) complied with the standards set down in the Regulations. However, 0.05% (137) 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 2002 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.

There were no failures of the faecal coliform standard at works

In 2003, 2,655 regulatory samples for Cryptosporidium were taken at nine sites. Very low numbers of oocysts were detected in 22 samples from seven 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, 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.

The seven failures of the faecal coliform standard at seven 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 = 190)*
		No	%		2003	2002	2001
Coliforms	12,538	37	0.30	0	0	0	0
Faecal coliforms	12,538	1	0.01	0	1	7	1
Colour	12,527	0	0.00	0	0	0	1
Turbidity	12,526	1	0.01	0	1	2	9
Odour	1,574	0	0.00	0	0	0	0
Taste	1,568	0	0.00	0	0	0	0
Hydrogen ion	12,527	2	0.02	0	1	6	0
Nitrate	1,802	2	0.11	0	1	1	2
Nitrite	1,816	3	0.17	0	2	3	5
Aluminium	6,353	4	0.06	2	4	10	4
Iron	6,354	36	0.57	35	31	38	42
Manganese	6,354	10	0.16	8	10	14	13
Lead	3,658	9	0.25	0	8	2	2
PAH	829	6	0.72	0	6	3	0
Trihalomethanes	863	0	0.00	0	0	3	1
Total pesticides	915	0	0.00	0	0	0	4
Clopyralid	964	1	0.10	0	1	1	0
2,4D	1,142	0	0.00	0	0	17	0
Isoproturon	944	0	0.00	0	0	0	4
MCPA	1,127	0	0.00	0	0	14	1
Mecoprop	949	1	0.11	0	1	0	7
Simazine	966	2	0.21	0	1	1	0
Other pesticides	72,694	0	0.00	0	0	0	0
Benzo 3,4 Pyrene	831	3	0.36	1	0	0	0
All others	24,486	0	0.00	0	0	0	0
TOTAL	198,845	118	0.06
*205 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	New standard	Tests not meeting
	of tests		the new standard
Benzene	950	1.0 µg/l	0
Bromate	731	10.0 µg/l	4
1,2 dichloroethane	948	3.0 µg/l	0
Nitrite (exwater treatment works)	600	0.1 mg/l	0
Clostridium perfringens	1,138	0/100 ml	1
Enterococci	651	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		190	10.0 µg/l	0	5.0 µg/l	0
Arsenic		190	50.0 µg/l	0	10.0 µg/l	0
Boron		190	2.0 mg/l	0	1.0 mg/l	0
Copper		782	3.0 mg/l	0	2.0 mg/l	0
Lead		3,658	50.0 µg/l	9	25.0 µg/l	26
					10.0 µg/l*	109
Nickel		190	50.0 µg/l	0	20.0 µg/l	0
Nitrite (at consumers’ taps)		1,816	0.1 mg/l	3	0.5 mg/l	0
PAH		829	0.2 µg/l	6	0.1 µg/l	1
Tetrachloroethene Trichloroethene		866 866	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 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 most of the recommendations arising from the 2002 audit and inspection process and from assessments of water quality incidents. One recommendation, in respect of storage of sample bottles was reaffirmed.

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 two of the samplers 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 Company’s Cryptosporidium laboratory identified one regulatory breach as well as one minor deficiency associated with negative control slides. The Company’s laboratory has taken the required remedial action to rectify the deficiency identified.

Audit of membrane treatment plants and membrane integrity testing system

An audit of one membrane treatment site and the associated system of membrane integrity testing was found to be satisfactory.

Audit of progress with water treatment works improvement programmes

Progress with all schemes associated with improvement programmes at water treatment works was generally satisfactory. However, for one scheme, delays with key stages have occurred due to land acquisition issues.

Five schemes were selected for detailed audit and one site visit was carried out. Progress with the schemes for THM at Albert, Embsay and Chellow Heights treatment works, and for bromate at Elvington treatment works was satisfactory; however, the Company is required to take action to address a number of deficiencies associated with the scheme for nitrate at Etton Wold.

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 three minor deficiencies associated with the assessment of schemes and the 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 July 2002 to January 2003. The Company is being required to take action on deficiencies identified with sample storage and AQC results on one sample, and analytical media control on both samples.

Audit trails of selected nonmicrobiological test results

Vertical audits were carried out on 13 test results selected at random for the period January 2002 to March 2003. The Company is being required to take action on deficiencies identified with record keeping on sample storage in relation to two samples; the methodology and calibration in relation to temperature measurements; the method of analysis in relation to one parameter; ensuring that the method is in statistical control in relation to one parameter; having satisfactory arrangements for reviewing and recalculating control charts in relation to two parameters; and ensuring that appropriate corrective actions are taken when outofcontrol conditions have occurred, in relation to one parameter.

Inspection of three water treatment works and four service reservoirs

Inspections were carried out at Elslack, Embsay and Langsett water treatment works and Addingham, Elslack, Embsay and Springfield 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 the treatment process identified at Elslack works; protection of the source from grazing sheep and chemical delivery arrangements at Embsay works; chemical delivery and dosing arrangements, water quality monitoring and availability of procedures at Langsett works; and maintenance at Embsay service reservoir.

Audit of sampling arrangements

An audit carried out on one sample round was satisfactory. The Company is being required to take action on a few minor deficiencies identified during the sampling round.

Audit of one laboratory

An audit was carried out on the Company’s Claro House laboratory at Harrogate. The Company is being required to take action on a number of deficiencies identified during the audit.

Audit of procedures relating to mains operations by company and contract staff

Audits carried of Company procedures was found to be satisfactory. However, the Company is being required to take action on a number of minor deficiencies associated with operation and maintenance of the distribution system and the management of contract staff.

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

Nine 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. The Company is being required to take action on a number of deficiencies identified in respect of security of electrical supplies, operation and maintenance of the distribution system, and procedures. The remaining six incidents from 2003 are under consideration.

 

 

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.