Anglian Water Services Limited – Tanks Inspections
Enforcement Order – Section 18 of the Water Industry Act 1991 (‘the Act’)
Reference: ANH-2025-00026
Version Number: DRAFT
Water undertaker as appointed under section 6 of the Water Industry Act 1991 (‘the Act’): Anglian Water Services Limited, with registered number 02366656 and registered address Lancaster House, Lancaster Way, Ermine Business Park, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, PE29 6XU (hereinafter called ‘the company’).
Details of this Order:
- The company has failed to complete the work required for the Tank inspections > 10 Years notice (reference ANH-2022-00005) and the twenty-three notices extracted from it, listed in Annex 1. The regulation 28(4) (Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2016 (‘the Regulations’)) notices were served in order to reduce the risk of the company contravening section 68(1) of the Act, (see regulation 4 of the Regulations for the requirements that must be met for water to be regarded as wholesome). Failure to complete the necessary work as required under all the listed regulation 28(4) notices listed in Annex 1, is a breach of the company’s statutory duties.
- The company was notified on 27 January 2026 of the Inspectorate’s intention to make an enforcement order under section 18 of the Act in respect of the contravention of regulation 28 of the Regulations, the consequence of which is the potential to breach section 68(1) of the Act (see regulation 4 of the Regulations for the requirements that must be met for water to be regarded as wholesome).
- The regulation 28(4) notices listed in Annex 1 are revoked under regulation 28(6), with immediate effect.
- The Chief Inspector of Drinking Water has considered any representations or objections to the proposed order, which were duly made and not withdrawn.
- The Chief Inspector of Drinking Water makes this enforcement order under section 18 of the Act for the purposes of securing compliance with regulation 28 of the Regulations.
Requirements:
- The company is hereby required to complete the steps and reporting outlined in the attached Schedule of Works.
Signed
Marcus Rink
Chief Inspector of Drinking Water on behalf of the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Reference: ANH-2025-00026
Annex 1 – Details of Original Notices
|
Inspectorate Reference |
Title |
Date served on company |
Completion date* |
|---|---|---|---|
|
ANH-2022-00005 |
Tank inspections > 10 Years notice |
10 February 2023 |
30 April 2025 |
|
ANH-2025-00002 |
Haddenham Tower Inspection |
24 March 2025 |
29 February 2028 |
|
ANH-2025-00003 |
Warren Hill Reservoir 1 Inspection |
24 March 2025 |
31 January 2029 |
|
ANH-2025-00004 |
Sapley Reservoir 2 Inspection |
24 March 2025 |
31 May 2030 |
|
ANH-2025-00006 |
Grantham Gorse Lane Reservoir 2 Inspection |
24 March 2025 |
31 December 2027 |
|
ANH-2025-00007 |
Weston Underwood Reservoir Inspection |
24 March 2025 |
31 July 2027 |
|
ANH-2025-00008 |
Potton Tower Inspection |
24 March 2025 |
31 October 2027 |
|
ANH-2025-00009 |
Horstead Tower Outer Tank Inspection |
24 March 2025 |
31 October 2027 |
|
ANH-2025-00010 |
Leziate Reservoir 2 Compartment 1 Inspection |
24 March 2025 |
31 October 2027 |
|
ANH-2025-00011 |
Bowthorpe Tower 2 Inspection |
24 March 2025 |
31 October 2027 |
|
ANH-2025-00012 |
Meppershall Tower Inspection |
24 March 2025 |
31 October 2027 |
|
ANH-2025-00013 |
Toplers Hill Reservoir Inspection |
24 March 2025 |
31 December 2027 |
|
ANH-2025-00014 |
Lings Reservoir 1 Inspection |
24 March 2025 |
31 July 2027 |
|
ANH-2025-00015 |
West Hadon Reservoir 1 Inspection |
Not served |
Completed |
|
ANH-2025-00016 |
Honningham Tower 3 Inspection |
24 March 2025 |
31 July 2027 |
|
ANH-2025-00017 |
Warren Hill Reservoir 3 Inspection |
24 March 2025 |
31 January 2029 |
|
ANH-2025-00018 |
Codson Hill Reservoir 1 Large Inspection |
24 March 2025 |
31 October 2027 |
|
ANH-2025-00019 |
Harpole (Kislingbury Reservoir) Inspection |
24 March 2025 |
31 October 2027 |
|
ANH-2025-00020 |
Milton Bryan Inspection |
14 April 2025 |
30 June 2027 |
|
ANH-2025-00021 |
Nedging Tye Inspection |
29 April 2025 |
29 February 2028 |
|
ANH-2025-00022 |
Newton Pump Sump (North) Inspection |
29 April 2025 |
30 November 2027 |
|
ANH-2025-00023 |
Tiffield Reservoir No 1 Inspection |
29 April 2025 |
31 July 2027 |
|
ANH-2025-00024 |
Weston Reservoir Inspection |
12 May 2025 |
30 November 2027 |
|
ANH-2025-00025 |
Stonewall Reservoir No 3 Inspection |
12 May 2025 |
31 October 2027 |
* Date completion report due to be submitted to the Inspectorate. All work was due to be completed 13 months prior to this.
Annex 2 – Details of Inspection Due Dates by Notice
|
Inspectorate Reference |
Title |
Completion of inspection date | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Original in Notice |
Company change application | ||
|
ANH-2022-00005 |
Tank inspections > 10 Years notice |
30 April 2025* |
30 June 2027* |
|
ANH-2025-00002 |
Haddenham Tower Inspection |
31 January 2027 |
31 October 2027 |
|
ANH-2025-00003 |
Warren Hill Reservoir 1 Inspection |
31 December 2027 |
Stage 1 submitted 25/09/25, but no stage 2 submitted. |
|
ANH-2025-00004 |
Sapley Reservoir 2 Inspection |
30 April 2029 |
Change submitted affects interim dates only |
|
ANH-2025-00006 |
Grantham Gorse Lane Reservoir 2 Inspection |
30 November 2026 |
No change submitted |
|
ANH-2025-00007 |
Weston Underwood Reservoir Inspection |
30 June 2026 |
30 Nov 2026 |
|
ANH-2025-00008 |
Potton Tower Inspection |
30 September 2026 |
30 June 2027 |
|
ANH-2025-00009 |
Horstead Tower Outer Tank Inspection |
30 September 2026 |
30 June 2027 |
|
ANH-2025-00010 |
Leziate Reservoir 2 Compartment 1 Inspection |
30 September 2026 |
31 March 2028 |
|
ANH-2025-00011 |
Bowthorpe Tower 2 Inspection |
30 September 2026 |
No change submitted |
|
ANH-2025-00012 |
Meppershall Tower Inspection |
30 September 2026 |
No change submitted |
|
ANH-2025-00013 |
Toplers Hill Reservoir Inspection |
30 November 2026 |
Stage 1 submitted 05/01/26, but no stage 2 submitted. |
|
ANH-2025-00014 |
Lings Reservoir 1 Inspection |
30 June 2026 |
28 February 2027 |
|
ANH-2025-00017 |
Warren Hill Reservoir 3 Inspection |
31 December 2027 |
30 September 2028 |
|
ANH-2025-00018 |
Codson Hill Reservoir 1 Large Inspection |
30 September 2026 |
31 March 2027 |
|
ANH-2025-00019 |
Harpole (Kislingbury Reservoir) Inspection |
30 September 2026 |
31 October 2027 |
|
ANH-2025-00021 |
Nedging Tye Inspection |
31 January 2027 |
Change submitted affects interim dates only |
|
ANH-2025-00022 |
Newton Pump Sump (North) Inspection |
31 October 2026 |
No change submitted |
|
ANH-2025-00023 |
Tiffield Reservoir No 1 Inspection |
30 June 2026 |
31 October 2026 |
|
ANH-2025-00024 |
Weston Reservoir Inspection |
31 October 2026 |
Stage 1 submitted 27/10/2025 but no stage 2 submitted. |
|
ANH-2025-00025 |
Stonewall Reservoir No 3 Inspection |
30 September 2026 |
No change submitted |
Schedule of Works
Anglian Water Services Limited – Companywide Tanks Inspections
Date:
Reference: ANH-2025-00026
Version Number: DRAFT
Water undertaker as appointed under section 6 of the Water Industry Act 1991 (as amended): Anglian Water Services Limited, with registered number 02366656 and registered address Lancaster House, Lancaster Way, Ermine Business Park, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, PE29 6XU (hereinafter called ‘the company’).
Assets Affected:
- All company tanks and service reservoirs (treated water storage points)
Steps to be taken:
The company is required to implement the following steps by the date given in each case.
- Prepare a plan stating the individual mitigation measures to protect public health in the event a tank is unable to be removed from public supply.
Date: 31 May 2026 - Prepare individual tank isolation risk assessments, method statements and individual tank isolation plans.
Date: 31 May 2026 - Prepare a comprehensive plan specifying the inspection intervals for all treated water storage tanks, together with a detailed explanation of the methodology applied in determining those intervals.
Date: 31 May 2026 - Prepare a detailed plan to ensure that inspection intervals for all treated water storage tanks do not exceed ten years, in accordance with the company’s current risk-based methodology.
Date: 31 May 2026 - Review and amend the company’s current risk-based inspection methodology to an evidence-based model aligning with industry best practice to ensure public health protection is the priority. Complete a review and update (where required) the plans developed in steps 1, 2, 3 and 4 above.
Date: 31 March 2027 - Implement the plans prepared under steps 1, 2, 3, and 4, applying the revised company model, delivered under step 5, to deliver an evidence-based inspection regime for all treated water storage tanks, ensuring that no tank exceeds an interval of 10 years between inspections.
Date: by the dates listed in appendix 1 and by 31 March 2027 for all other treated water storage points - Implement the revised methodology developed under step 5.
Date: From 31 March 2027 and to be completed by 31 March 2030 - Identify any treated water storage points where the construction of a new storage point is the only option to achieve inspection. Complete the design and planning for the constructions, including delivery timescales.
Date: 30 September 2026 - Define and implement an audit strategy to monitor the effectiveness of the company’s delivery of the steps within this order.
Date: 2 months after the date on which the order is made - Review the company’s governance for the delivery of legal instruments (including notices served under regulation 28(4) of the Regulations, undertakings accepted under section 19 of the Act, enforcement orders made under section 18 of the Act and any other enforcement initiated by the Drinking Water Inspectorate), and adherence to dates contained within and produce a governance policy or procedure to ensure that legal instruments are delivered fully and on time.
Date: 31 May 2026 - Conduct a review of all legal instruments (as defined in 10, above), served by the Inspectorate, which are live on the date on which this order has been made, and ensure the governance is sufficient to meet the new requirements developed under step 10, and that the legal instrument requirements will be met.
Date: 30 June 2026
Reporting – all reports to be provided to the Drinking Water inspectorate by the dates given below:
Provide the Inspectorate with the following reports as specified.
- Report: Biannual progress reports
Detail: Provide reports on the progress made with implementing the steps to be taken. Reports should include a statement of implications of any delays to the steps to be taken and details of activities planned to bring the programme back on target.
Date: by 30 April and 31 October in each year that the enforcement order is in place. - Report: Additional assets at risk
Detail: If the company identifies that the inspection interval for any treated water storage tank will exceed 10 years – contrary to the company’s current risk assessment methodology, as amended to an evidence based methodology as specified under step 6) – it must submit a report to the Inspectorate detailing the tank concerned, the proposed plan for its removal from supply and inspection, and any associated remedial works.
Date: Ongoing for the duration of the Enforcement Order - Report: Completion of steps 1, 2, 3 and 4
Detail: Provide a report that details the outcomes of steps 1, 2, 3 and 4 above and the resulting plan for reducing all tank inspections to less than 10 years in duration.
Date: 30 June 2026 - Report: Confirm no tanks exceed the 10 years inspection frequency
Detail: Following delivery of step 6, provide a report confirming with evidence that no treated water storage tanks, other than those listed in appendix 1 with later due dates, exceed 10 years between inspections.
Date: 30 April 2027 - Report: Risk-based methodology
Detail: Provide the company’s updated methodology, reviewed under step 5, for treated water storage tank inspections and an accompanying report, detailing the review carried out and the consequential amendments.
Date: 31 March 2027 - Report: Implementation of the revised evidence-based methodology developed under step 6.
Detail: Provide a report confirming that all treated water storage tanks have been inspected within an inspection frequency, in compliance with the revised evidence-based methodology.
Date: 30 April 2030 - Report: Review of governance.
Detail: Following delivery of step 9, provide a report of the review carried out into the company’s governance of legal instruments and a copy of the new policy or procedure.
Date: 30 June 2026 - Report: Review of existing legal instruments (notices, undertakings, orders and other enforcement initiated by the Drinking Water Inspectorate).
Detail: Following delivery of step 10, provide a report confirming that the review of all Inspectorate issued legal instruments has been completed, any changes in governance, confirmation of expected, successful delivery (compliance with the requirements) and notification of any identified failings or delays.
Date: 31 July 2026 - Report: New constructions
Detail: Provide a report identifying any treated water storage points where the construction of a new storage point is the only option to achieve inspection. Include details of the design and planning for the constructions, including delivery timescales.
Date: 31 October 2026 - Report: Delay or change report
Detail: If the company has any reason to believe it may not be able to meet any of the dates set out in this Schedule of Works, it must notify the Inspectorate as soon as reasonably practicable after being made aware and in any case, within one month.
Date: as soon as reasonably practicable after being made aware and in any case, within one month; ongoing for the duration of the order - Report: Change report
Detail: Submit a report to the Inspectorate in the event that any completed step of this Order needs to be altered in any way, for any reason.
Date: As soon as reasonably practicable after the company is made aware and, in any case, within one month; ongoing until revocation of the order - Report: Audit Strategy
Detail: Submit to the Inspectorate the audit strategy for auditing the effectiveness of all steps within this order.
Date: 3 months after the date on which the order is made - Report: Change of audit strategy
Detail: Submit any revisions of the audit strategy to the Inspectorate.
Date: Within 1 month of a revision - Report: Completion report
Detail: Submit a satisfactory completion report to the Inspectorate evidencing the completion of all steps contained within this order, accompanied by a Board level Director sign-off for the corresponding risk assessment.
Date: 30 April 2031
Further Details of this Enforcement Order
- Any product or substance used as a result of the requirements in this enforcement order must comply with regulation 31 of the Regulations.
- Failure by the Company to comply with this Notice may result in proceedings under section 22 of the Act.
Appendix 1
|
Treated water storage point |
Date for the completion of internal inspection |
|
Haddenham Tower Inspection |
31 October 2027 |
|
Warren Hill Reservoir 1 Inspection |
31 December 2027 |
|
Sapley Reservoir 2 Inspection |
30 April 2029 |
|
Grantham Gorse Lane Reservoir 2 Inspection |
30 November 2026 |
|
Weston Underwood Reservoir Inspection |
30 Nov 2026 |
|
Potton Tower Inspection |
30 June 2027 |
|
Horstead Tower Outer Tank Inspection |
30 June 2027 |
|
Leziate Reservoir 2 Compartment 1 Inspection |
31 March 2028 |
|
Bowthorpe Tower 2 Inspection |
30 September 2026 |
|
Meppershall Tower Inspection |
30 September 2026 |
|
Toplers Hill Reservoir Inspection |
30 November 2026 |
|
Lings Reservoir 1 Inspection |
28 February 2027 |
|
Warren Hill Reservoir 3 Inspection |
30 September 2028 |
|
Codson Hill Reservoir 1 Large Inspection |
31 March 2027 |
|
Harpole (Kislingbury Reservoir) Inspection |
31 October 2027 |
|
Nedging Tye Inspection |
31 January 2027 |
|
Newton Pump Sump (North) Inspection |
31 October 2026 |
|
Tiffield Reservoir No 1 Inspection |
31 October 2026 |
|
Weston Reservoir Inspection |
31 October 2026 |
|
Stonewall Reservoir No 3 Inspection |
30 September 2026 |