Latest documents
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We are recruiting – join our team
We are seeking a Principal Inspector – Network and Information Systems Work for the DWI – Drinking Water Inspectorate
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Drinking Water 2025 – Private water supplies in England and Wales – Annual Reports Published
Drinking Water 2025 – Private water supplies in England and Wales annual reports have been published on our website. Drinking Water 2025 – Private water supplies in England. Drinking Water 2025 – Private water supplies in Wales.
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9 July: Drinking Water Inspectorate – Chief Inspector’s Annual Report 2025 Wales
The Drinking Water Inspectorate (the Inspectorate) today publishes the Chief Inspector’s Annual Report for Wales, covering the quality of public drinking water supplies during 2025. The report sets out a comprehensive picture of drinking water quality across Wales, drawing on compliance data, events, audits and emerging risks. Marcus Rink, Chief Inspector of Drinking Water said: “Consumers in […]
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7 July: Drinking Water Inspectorate – Chief Inspector’s Annual Report 2025 England
The Drinking Water Inspectorate (the Inspectorate) today publishes the Chief Inspector’s Annual Report for England, covering the quality of public drinking water supplies during 2025. The report sets out a comprehensive picture of drinking water quality across England, drawing on compliance data, events, audits and emerging risks. Marcus Rink, Chief Inspector of Drinking Water said: “Consumers in […]
- Report on the Drinking Water Inspectorate’s Investigation into the Cryptosporidium outbreak in the Brixham area in May 2024
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2 June 2026 – South West Water fined a record £1.853 million for drinking water failures in Brixham
South West Water has been fined £1,853,000 – a record fine for a drinking water offence – at Exeter Magistrates’ Court following a prosecution by the Drinking Water Inspectorate (the Inspectorate) for drinking water failures that led to a Cryptosporidium outbreak in the Brixham area of Devon. Between 15 May and 8 July 2024, up to 39,000 consumers were subject […]
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Water Quality Event – Maerdy and Ferndale Area
The Inspectorate is aware of an event affecting supplies in the Maerdy and Ferndale area, on 21 May. Dwr Cymru Welsh Water is taking steps to return supplies to normal. Consumers in the affected area should follow any advice which may be issued by Dwr Cymru Welsh Water, regarding their supplies. The Inspectorate is investigating […]
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Drinking Water Inspectorate: South East Water, Tunbridge Wells investigation conclusion – November 2025
The Drinking Water Inspectorate (the Inspectorate) has concluded its investigation into the loss of supply and boil water notice affecting up to 60,170 consumers in the Tunbridge Wells area in November/December 2025. Our assessment concludes that the loss of supply and subsequent boil water notice were foreseeable and preventable. The event arose not from exceptional […]
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Governance framework for rainwater harvesting and greywater reuse systems report published
Governance framework for rainwater harvesting and greywater reuse systems report has been published on our website.
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4 March 2026 – Prosecution of South West Water Limited for s70(1) offences under the Water Industry Act 1991
The Drinking Water Inspectorate (the Inspectorate) notes the guilty plea that South West Water Limited has entered following the court hearing today at Exeter Magistrates’ Court in relation to the Cryptosporidiosis outbreak event in the Brixham area in 2024 for potential offences under section 70(1) of the Water Industry Act 1991. The event concerned the […]
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Publication of Research Report – A Review of Microbial Indicators of Faecal Contamination
A study was undertaken for the Drinking Water Inspectorate by WRc to evaluate different potential microbial indicators and techniques and report on their effectiveness and applicability to drinking water regulation in England and Wales. The aim of this report is to inform regulatory and operational practices on the usefulness and applicability of indicators and novel […]
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Private Water Supply case study published
A new case study has been published: An example of the difficulties associated with onward distribution systems (regulation 8 supplies) – Drinking Water Inspectorate