Information Letter

DWI Information Letter 09/2005

30 June 2005

To: Board Level and Regulation 31 Contacts of Water and Sewerage Companies and Water Companies in England and Wales.

Dear Sir or Madam

REGULATION 31 OF THE WATER SUPPLY (WATER QUALITY) REGULATIONS 2000 AND 2001: APPROVAL AND USE OF PACKING MATERIALS IN WATER TREATMENT PROCESSES.

Purpose

1. The purpose of this Information letter is to inform water companies of the requirements for approval of packing materials under the new Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2000.¹
   
   
2. Formerly treated as traditional products under Regulations 25 (1)(c) or mistakenly (1)(b) of the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 1989, products such as packing materials are now considered under the full requirements of Regulation 31(4)(a) of the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2000¹.
   
   
3. Following the implementation of the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2000¹ at the end of 2003, the Drinking Water Inspectorate and the Committee on Products and Processes for use in Public Water supply have considered the approval of packing materials such as Pall rings used in degassers etc. Due to the high surface area of these packing materials in contact with water, they have concluded that these products cannot be considered under the requirements for products having a small surface area in contact with water (Regulation 31(4)(b)), but that these products must meet the requirements for approval under Regulation 31(4)(a).
   
   
4. This requirement has been noted in the following statement, included in the reduced surface area section of the CPP website -
   

   "The following products must be submitted for approval under Regulation 31:
   Over bandaging products, and all in-situ applied surface repair materials Packing media (e.g. Pall Rings) used in filtration and other water treatment equipment (e.g. degasser)."

5. Recently one type of Pall Ring has been recommended for approval under Regulation 31 (4)(a) and a further type is currently under test. Regular updates on recent approvals are published on the CPP Website (http://www.dwi.gov.uk/cpp/pageb.shtm) following CPP meetings.
   
   
6. The DWI has been concerned to learn that some Water Companies may still believe that these packing materials can be considered as traditional products, and that companies may be placing new packing materials into use which have not been assessed for compliance with Regulation 31(4)(a).
   
   
7. Whilst Water Companies may continue to replace Pall Rings and other packing materials in existing plant whilst awaiting the availability of suitable and/or compatible approved products, only approved rings or packing materials should be used in new plant being installed and commissioned. In the interim the Drinking Water Inspectorate will consider enforcement action against a Water Company that installs unapproved products.

Enquiries

8. Enquiries about this letter should be directed to John Ashworth, Inspector (Products and Processes), Drinking Water Inspectorate, Zone 2/E4, Ashdown House, 123 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6DE (Telephone 020 7082 8015, Fax No. 020 7082 8024) or email john.ashworth@defra.gsi.gov.uk.
   
   
9. Copies of this letter are being sent to Pamela Taylor, Chief Executive, Water UK; Richard Wood, Water Supply and Regulation Division, Department of the Environment Food and Rural Affairs; June Milligan, Environment Division, the National Assembly for Wales; Tim Hooton, Government Regulator for Drinking Water Quality, Scotland; Randal Scott, Drinking Water Inspectorate for Northern Ireland and Rowena Tye, Office of Water Services.
   
   
10. This letter is being sent electronically to Board Level and Regulation 31 network contacts. Please acknowledge receipt by email to dwi.informationletters@defra.gsi.gov.uk. Hard copies are not being sent. This letter may be freely copied

Yours sincerely

Prof. Jeni Colbourne
Chief Inspector of Drinking Water

Drinking Water Inspectorate

55 Whitehall, London, SW1A 2EY
Telephone : 020 7270 3370

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