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Effective application of the private supply regulations to benefit tourism and the local economy
A scheduled compliance sample from a small commercial supply was reported as containing E.coli. The local authority issued boil water advice in a Regulation 18 Notice while they carried out a Regulations 15 investigation by bringing forward the Regulation 6 risk assessment of the supply. The private supply served four dwellings used as holiday lets. […]
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Use of Environment Agency data to inform audit monitoring
This small borehole supply is located in grazing land for dairy cattle and serves two domestic dwellings and a milking parlour. The supply is disinfected with chlorine before distribution to all the properties on the site The supply has a record of satisfactory microbiological results, although historically only a limited chemical analysis was carried out […]
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Best practice in relation to co-regulation of drinking water safety at premises by water companies and local authorities
This case study relates to an estate serving approximately 30 consumers in a mixture of domestic and commercial premises including owner-occupied and rented property, offices and two food premises. The estate was included in the local water company’s compliance monitoring programme because some of the premises appeared on the company’s billing record. A random tap […]
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Change of use of a private supply from a single domestic dwelling to a food premises
This case study relates to a spring supply to a single domestic dwelling. The local authority received a request for advice about water quality from the owners of the property, which at that time was exempt from the monitoring requirements of the regulations. The local authority referred the owner to guidance on source protection available […]
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Unsatisfactory water quality as a consequence of using an unapproved treatment system
This case study relates to a private supply serving a residential outdoor centre for up to 50 people (including children). The source is a borehole. After abstraction water is pumped into a storage reservoir from where it is piped into the premises’ loft and treated by a filter and UV disinfection. The water then passes […]
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Use of a Notice to secure the safety of a private supply through improved management arrangements
This private supply is located on a small estate and serves a domestic dwelling, rented accommodation and an office. The source is a borehole from which water is pumped to a reservoir where treatment is by filtration followed by UV disinfection before water is distributed to all the properties. The estate employs a contractor to […]
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Consumer complaint of illness highlighting an inadequate approach to maintenance by the owner
This case study relates to a small supply serving 11 domestic dwellings, five of which are rented. The source is a borehole surrounded by pastureland grazed by domestic livestock (sheep) and the supply is disinfected with chlorine. The local authority sampled from one of the properties after receiving a complaint from the tenant about the […]
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The implications of not establishing that a laboratory is accredited and using only an approved or authorised method of analysis
This case study relates to a spring source, which provides the water supply to a food premises (cheese manufacturer). The supply is not treated. A planned sample, collected by the local authority, was reported as being positive for E.coli. As part of the investigation, the local authority reviewed the original risk assessment and noted that […]
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Prohibition of disconnection and securing the sufficiency of private supplies
This case study relates to a relatively large supply serving five houses and a holiday park with more than 100 chalets. Ownership of the chalets is mixed; private individuals own some chalets, either as permanent homes or as commercial or holiday lets, other chalets are owned and let out by a holiday park company. Occupancy […]
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Lead in drinking water, the overlooked health risk in small domestic private supplies?
This case study relates to a private supply that serves 13 dwellings, some of which are rented. Historically, the local authority collected a bacteriological sample every other year. These previous samples were positive for coliform bacteria and treatment of the supply had been recommended, but no action taken. The risk assessment under the new regulations […]
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Surface water supply to a public building with accommodation – Risk assessment
This large supply serves a small group of residential educational centres, holiday cottages and an office, and therefore it is classed as a large supply (Regulation 9). There is one land owner, but several different owners of premises. Up to 160 people may be using the accommodation at any one time. The supply originates from […]
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Failure of a borehole supply serving a public building
The subject of this case study is a borehole supply serving a public building which is a visitor attraction for children and families (an open farm with a café) and residential properties. When the local authority carried out check and audit monitoring under the new private water supply regulations, a sample of drinking water from […]