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Current improvement programmes

Notice of Regulation: Watchgate Water Treatment Works

Completion Date: 30/06/2023
Ref: UUT3948

THE WATER SUPPLY (WATER QUALITY) REGULATIONS 2016 (AS AMENDED)

NOTICE UNDER REGULATION 28(4)

UNITED UTILITIES WATER LIMITED: WATCHGATE WATER TREATMENT WORKS

Assets affected:

  • T046 Watchgate Water Treatment Works
  • Y1492 Barrow
  • Y1493 Blackburn
  • Y1501 Eden
  • Y1502 Fylde
  • Y1504 Hyndburn
  • Y1505 Kendal
  • Y1506 Lancaster
  • Y1511 Preston
  • Y1512 Ribble Valley
  • Y1515 South Ribble

Legal Instrument Database Reference number: UUT3948

THE SECRETARY OF STATE:

  1. has received a report from United Utilities Water Limited (the “Company”) dated 1 October 2015 (the “Report”) which states that there is or has been a significant risk of supplying water from Watchgate water treatment works that could constitute a potential danger to human health.
  2. GIVES NOTICE to the Company under regulation 28(4) of the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2016 (as amended) that it must satisfy the following requirements:

For risks associated with:

  • Contravention of regulation 26 because of a lack of shutdown and start-up to waste facilities.
  • Potential simultaneous failure of the chlorine and back up sodium hypochlorite dosing systems due to being controlled by the same control unit, identified by the Company’s hazard review process.
  • Coliform bacteria, E. coli and turbidity

Requirements

(a) to maintain the following measures for the period specified

Date: For the duration of this notice

  1. Operation of all processes within defined normal operating ranges with appropriate triggers, responses and contingency procedures
  2. Critical control points in the treatment process are monitored and protected by alarm via telemetry to the Integrated Control Centre and the site is manned 24 hours per day
  3. Watchgate water treatment works process operated to requirements of the Site Specific Disinfection Policy
  4. Compliance and operational data from Watchgate water treatment works and associated water supply zones is reviewed as part of the Tier 1-3 source to tap process
  5. Monitor coliforms, E. coli, turbidity, pH and chlorine residuals as part of the routine sampling programme at Watchgate water treatment works final compliance point
  6. If a water sample from Watchgate water treatment works treated water exceeds a regulatory standard, appropriate measures to protect public health will be implemented, including Company procedure QP40
  7. Issue advice to recipients, should improperly disinfected water enter supply.

(b) to review, revise and/or make operational the following measures, by the date specified below:

  1. Confirm programme of work required to allow shut down of individual streams at Watchgate water treatment works with run to waste facilities
    Date: 31 December 2018
  2. Confirm programme of work required to mitigate the identified risk of simultaneous failure of the main and back up disinfection systems
    Date: 31 December 2018
  3. Complete programme of work identified in Step (b)2 above to mitigate the risk of simultaneous failure of the main and back up disinfection systems.
    Date: 31 December 2019
  4. Complete programme of work identified in Step (b)1 above to provide a shutdown and start up to waste facility at Watchgate water treatment works
    Date: 30 April 2022
  5. Review and revise individual shutdown and start up to waste quality assurance procedures and ensure all site personnel are competent and confident in all aspects of the revised procedure and subsequent works operation.
    Date: 31 May 2022
  6. Review and update drinking water safety plan risk assessment following completion of additional control measures.
    Date: 30 June 2022 or within one month of completion of step (b)5

(c) to audit whether the measures have been effective by the following means:

  1. Define a strategy for auditing the effectiveness of the measures made operational above
    Date: 30 June 2018
  2. Implement the audit strategy outlined in (c)1 above
    Date: For the duration of this notice

(d) not to supply water for regulation 4(1) purposes from Watchgate water treatment works unless the conditions specified below are satisfied

  1. That all reasonable operational steps have been taken to ensure that water that is not compliant with the requirements of regulations 4 and 26 is prevented from entering supply.
    Date: Effective immediately

(e) to provide the following information in the time and manner specified below to enable monitoring of progress towards the mitigation of the risk of supplying water that would constitute a potential danger to human health:

  1. Provide a progress report annually by 31 January and against the following milestones:
    Date: On-going for the duration of this notice
    • Confirmation of audit strategy defined in step (c)1.
      Date: 31 July 2018
    • Confirm programme and order of works defined in step (b)1 and 2.
      Date: 31 January 2019
    • Confirm the completion of all works and that all site procedures have been updated as outlined in steps (b)3, 4 and 5 above.
      Date: 30 June 2022
  2. Review the risk assessment for T046 Watchgate water treatment works as required by Regulation 27(3) and subsequently submit a revised regulation 28 report accompanied by a signed board level declaration.
    Date: Within 3 months of completion of step (b)6.
  3. Submit a satisfactory completion report.
    Date: 30 June 2023

Failure by the Company to comply with this Notice may result in enforcement proceedings under section 18 of the Act. Further contravention of the regulation 28(4)(d) requirement in this Notice is an offence and a person guilty of the offence shall be liable on conviction to a fine.

Signed by authority of the Secretary of State
Milo Purcell
Deputy Chief Inspector
26 October 2018
DWI ref: UUT3948
Version 1