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Information Letters

Drinking Water Inspectorate Information Letter 15/98 - 16 November 1998

To: Managing Directors of Water and Sewerage Companies and Water Companies in England and Wales

Dear Sir/Madam

Third Report of the Expert Group on Cryptosporidium in Water Supplies

1. I have pleasure in sending you a copy of the Third Report of The Expert Group on Cryptosporidium in Water Supplies chaired by Professor Ian Bouchier. This is an important and highly relevant report.

2. The Government re-established the Expert Group following the outbreak of cryptosporidiosis in north west London and Hertfordshire in early spring 1997. This outbreak was associated with drinking water derived from underground strata. Such water sources had been considered previously to be at very low risk of contamination by Cryptosporidium. The Expert Group concluded that not all groundwater is consistently of high quality. Groundwater sources affected by the possibility of intermittent rapid transmission of water from the surface are potentially at high risk of contamination by Cryptosporidium.

3. The Expert Group recognises that water is only one of a number of possible sources of Cryptosporidium and that much has been done to safeguard water supplies since publication of the Group's first two reports in 1990 and 1995 produced under the chairmanship of the late Sir John Badenoch. Nevertheless the Expert Group has made a number of important further recommendations with particular emphasis on advice to water utilities, organisations and individuals concerned with the management of incidents and outbreaks and those undertaking epidemiological surveys.

4. Michael Meacher, Environment Minister, announced on 3 November 1998 that the Government accepted all 51 recommendations in the Expert Group’s report and stated that he expects water companies and other authorities to implement them.

5. The Drinking Water Inspectorate will audit and monitor progress with implementation of those recommendations in the Expert Group’s report that are relevant to water companies. I would like an initial response by 28 February 1999 on how your company plans to implement the recommendations.

6. You will be aware that the Inspectorate is organising a series of regional seminars during the latter part of this month and early December to explain and discuss the conclusions and recommendations in the Expert Group’s report. Representatives of water companies attending these seminars will each receive a copy of the Report but if you require further copies these can be obtained at £16 each from:

The Periodic Review

7.The relevant conclusions, recommendations and text of the Expert Group’s report provide additional helpful guidance to water companies to that contained in DWI Information Letters 10/97 and 7/98 to help them assess whether they need to seek the support of the Inspectorate for modification of existing treatment processes or installation of additional treatment processes to reduce the risk from Cryptosporidium in water supplies. No further guidance will be issued by the Inspectorate on Cryptosporidium for the periodic review.

Enquiries

8. If you have any queries on this letter please do not hesitate to contact me or David Drury, Principal Inspector, Zone 2/E1(020 7944 5876).

9. Copies of this letter are being sent to Pamela Taylor, Chief Executive, Water UK; Andrew Wells, Water Supply and Regulation Division, Department of the Environment, Transport and Regions; Bob Macey, Environment Division, Welsh Office; Tim Hooton, Scottish Office Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries Department; Randal Scott, Drinking Water Inspectorate for Northern Ireland; and Ailsa Wight, Department of Health.

10. Please acknowledge receipt of this letter using the enclosed slip and envelope.

Yours faithfully

O D Hydes
Deputy Chief Inspector

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E-mail: dwi_enquiries@detr.gov.uk

Updated 11 July 2001
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