Southern Water Services Limited – AMP8 Lead Strategy
Water Industry Act 1991 (as amended) (“the Act”): Section 19(1)(b)
Reference: SRN-2023-00012
Acceptance Notice:
The Drinking Water Inspectorate, on behalf of the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
- Is satisfied that Southern Water Services Limited “the Company” in supplying water from multiple assets which may be at risk of exceeding the standards for lead. This means that the Company is likely to contravene its duty in respect of supplying water which meets the Regulations under Section 68(1)(a) of the Water Industry Act 1991 and meets the requirement set in regulation 4(2)(c) of the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2016 (as amended) (“the Regulations”).
- Has notified the Company on 20 October 2023 that the Secretary of State is considering making in relation to the company an enforcement order under Section 18 of the Act.
- Notes that the Company has on 22 May 2024 given a new undertaking under Section 19 (1) (b) of the Act, to take the following steps by the dates shown.
Steps to be taken:
|
4a. |
Ensure that the Lead parameter has been assessed as a hazard as part of the regulation 27 Risk Assessment for the supply system that includes the water supply zones listed in the Annex to this Schedule according to a Drinking Water Safety Plan approach. Ensure that regulation 28 documents are reviewed, and updates provided as necessary. Date: Ongoing for the duration of the Undertaking. |
|
4b. |
Keep under review the company’s strategy for the protection of public health and for compliance with drinking water quality standards with respect to lead. |
Date: Ongoing for the duration of the Undertaking.
4c.(1) Replace all communication pipes and supply pipes (offer first 10m free of charge), where a failure of the lead parameter is identified and the property owner agrees.
Date: Ongoing for the duration of the Undertaking.
4c. (2) Offer to replace up to 10 metres of consumers pipe when communications pipes are replaced.
Date: Ongoing for the duration of the Undertaking.
4c. (3) 200 proactive communications pipe replacements to public buildings in high lead-risk areas, identified through the company’s lead tool, which serve young children (nurseries and primary schools). Replace communication pipes and external supply pipes, then work with the building owners to replace internal supply pipes, other lead pipework and fittings within the buildings. Date: 31 March 2030.
4c. (4) 600 proactive communications pipes as encountered through leakage and WRMP mains replacement programmes.
Date: 31 March 2030.
4c. (5) Offer an additional 1,200 lead communication pipe replacements.
Date: 31 March 2030.
4c. (6) Operate a customer pipe replacement grant scheme.
Date: Ongoing for the duration of the Undertaking.
4c. (7) Develop the company’s draft Lead reduction plans for AMP9, demonstrating the required ramp-up pipe replacement rate.
Date: 31 July 2027.
Reporting:
4d. At regular intervals provide DWI with reports on progress made with carrying out the steps set out in the Action Plan.
Reports to include at least the following details:
- All data from the monitoring of treated water in the distribution systems named in the annex.
- Details of the remedial steps that comprise the programme of work including commencement and completion dates for investigations, design, tendering, construction, and commissioning.
- Current state of progress with the steps referred to in (b) above.
Date: Annually for the duration of the Undertaking. Reporting periods are Jan – Dec. Reports to be submitted by 31 January each year that the Undertaking is in place.
Date: 31 August 2027. | |
|
4e. |
Continue to monitor at an enhanced frequency for Lead for a period of 12 months following commissioning of any work associated with the Action Plan to demonstrate the effectiveness of the remedial measures taken. Date: 31 March 2031. |
|
4f. |
Provide a final report to DWI on the efficacy of the remedial measures taken as part of the lead strategy. Include as evidence for closure for this scheme appropriate documentation to confirm that the actions set out in this Schedule of Work have been taken and that the company’s lead strategy is in place. |
Date: 30 April 2031.
Further Details of this Acceptance Notice:
4. The Secretary of State is satisfied that Southern Water Services Limited has given and is complying with an undertaking to take all such steps as appear to the Secretary of State for the time being to be appropriate to secure or facilitate compliance with the requirement of regulation 4(2)(c) of the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2016 (as amended).
Authorised by the Secretary of State to sign in that behalf
Nicholas Adjei
Deputy Chief Inspector, Drinking Water Inspectorate
1 May 2026
Reference: SRN-2023-00012
Annex A to Schedule for SRN-2023-00012 – Southern Water Services Limited
Undertaking in respect of Lead
|
Zone |
Population |
Supply System |
Reg 28 Report |
|
ZH502 Barton Stacey WSZ |
3159 |
Barton Stacey |
SRN-Risk-ZH502-10-25 |
|
ZH505 Ibthorpe WSZ |
7379 |
Andover; Ibthorpe |
SRN-Risk-ZH505-11-25 |
|
ZH506 Kingsclere WSZ |
10552 |
Kingsclere; East Woodhay |
SRN-Risk-ZH506-01-26 |
|
ZH507 Kingsclere / East Woodhay WSZ |
6245 |
Kingsclere; East Woodhay |
SRN-Risk-ZH507-10-25 |
|
ZH508 Otterbourne Direct WSZ |
75772 |
Testwood; Otterbourne |
SRN-Risk-ZH508-11-25 |
|
ZH509 Otterbourne Indirect_01 WSZ |
64233 |
Testwood; Otterbourne |
SRN-Risk-ZH509-10-25 |
|
ZH510 Otterbourne Indirect_02 WSZ |
81224 |
Testwood; Otterbourne |
SRN-Risk-ZH510-11-25 |
|
ZH511 Overton WSZ |
4439 |
Overton |
SRN-Risk-ZH511-10-25 |
|
ZH513 Rownhams_02 WSZ |
85071 |
Testwood |
SRN-Risk-ZH513-11-25 |
|
ZH515 Totford WSZ |
16000 |
Easton; Totford |
SRN-Risk-ZH515-10-25 |
|
ZH516 Twyford_01 WSZ |
87470 |
Otterbourne; Twyford; Twyford Moors |
SRN-Risk-ZH516-11-25 |
|
ZH517 Twyford_02 WSZ |
86267 |
Otterbourne; Twyford; Twyford Moors |
SRN-Risk-ZH517-11-25 |
|
ZH518 Whitchurch WSZ |
5869 |
Andover; Whitchurch |
SRN-Risk-ZH518-10-25 |
|
ZH519 Winchester High Level WSZ |
14664 |
Otterbourne; Easton |
SRN-Risk-ZH519-11-25 |
|
ZH522 Yew Hill WSZ |
55277 |
Testwood; Otterbourne; Timsbury; Twyford; Twyford Moors |
SRN-Risk-ZH522-12-25 |
|
ZH524 Andover Combined WSZ |
59936 |
Andover |
SRN-Risk-ZH524-01-26 |
|
ZH525 Easton Combined WSZ |
49914 |
Easton |
SRN-Risk-ZH525-10-25 |
|
ZH526 Timsbury Combined WSZ |
29072 |
Testwood; Timsbury; Horsebridge |
SRN-Risk-ZH526-10-25 |
|
ZH527 Rownhams_01 Combined WSZ |
80974 |
Testwood; Otterbourne; Timsbury |
SRN-Risk-ZH527-10-25 |
|
ZH528 Adbury WSZ |
7 |
Newbury Supply system; Adbury Export (Southern) (TW Supply system: Newbury) |
SRN-Risk-ZH528-11-25 |
|
ZI501 Alvington High Level WSZ |
43549 |
Testwood; Calbourne; Carisbrooke |
SRN-Risk-ZI501-10-25 |
|
ZI502 Ashey WSZ |
19878 |
Carisbrooke; Chillerton; Knighton; Sandown |
SRN-Risk-ZI502-12-25 |
|
ZI503 Brading WSZ |
29151 |
Carisbrooke; Chillerton; Knighton; Sandown |
SRN-Risk-ZI503-12-25 |
|
ZI508 Newport WSZ |
21397 |
Testwood; Bowcombe; Carisbrooke |
SRN-Risk-ZI508-10-25 |
|
ZI509 Rural South West WSZ |
1776 |
Calbourne |
SRN-Risk-ZI509-10-25 |
|
ZI510 Shalcombe Low Level WSZ |
1121 |
Testwood; Carisbrooke |
SRN-Risk-ZI510-10-25 |
|
ZI512 Sandown / Central Downs Combined WSZ |
20491 |
Carisbrooke; Chillerton; Sandown |
SRN-Risk-ZI512-12-25 |
|
ZI513 Lowtherville Combined WSZ |
9672 |
Carisbrooke; Chillerton; Sandown; Ventnor |
SRN-Risk-ZI513-12-25 |
|
ZK501 Borstal WSZ |
21922 |
Burham; Cuxton; Luton; Nashenden; Strood; Lower Bush |
SRN-Risk-ZK501-12-25 |
|
ZK502 Cobham WSZ |
39766 |
Burham; Cuxton; Luddesdown; Strood; Lower Bush |
SRN-Risk-ZK502-10-25 |
|
ZK503 Colewood WSZ |
72280 |
Burham; Cuxton; Strood; Lower Bush |
SRN-Risk-ZK503-10-25 |
|
ZK504 Cromers Wood WSZ |
57737 |
Eastling; Highsted; Matts Hill; Bottom Pond; Danaway; Selling |
SRN-Risk-ZK504-11-25 |
|
ZK505 Darland WSZ |
54106 |
Burham; Cuxton; Eastling; Luton; Matts Hill; Nashenden; Strood; Danaway; Lower Bush; Selling |
SRN-Risk-ZK505-10-25 |
|
ZK506 Keycol WSZ |
4514 |
Eastling; Highsted; Matts Hill; Bottom Pond; Danaway; Selling |
SRN-Risk-ZK506-10-25 |
|
ZK507 Nurstead WSZ |
6656 |
Fawkham; Northfleet |
SRN-Risk-ZK507-10-25 |
|
ZK508 Pitfield WSZ |
11515 |
Fawkham; Northfleet |
SRN-Risk-ZK508-10-25 |
|
ZK509 Rainham Mark WSZ |
13434 |
Burham; Cuxton; Eastling; Gore; Luton; Matts Hill; Nashenden; Strood; Danaway; Lower Bush; Selling |
SRN-Risk-ZK509-10-25 |
|
ZK510 Sheppey WSZ |
58202 |
Eastling; Matts Hill; Danaway; Selling |
SRN-Risk-ZK510-10-25 |
|
ZK511 Shorne WSZ |
5302 |
Burham; Cuxton; Higham; Luddesdown; Strood; Three Crutches; Lower Bush |
SRN-Risk-ZK511-11-25 |
|
ZK512 Singlewell WSZ |
66085 |
Burham; Cuxton; Fawkham; Hazells; Luddesdown; Northfleet; Strood; Lower Bush |
SRN-Risk-ZK512-10-25 |
|
ZK513 Wigmore WSZ |
84648 |
Burham; Cuxton; Eastling; Luton; Matts Hill; Nashenden; Snodhurst; Strood; Danaway; Lower Bush; Selling |
SRN-Risk-ZK513-10-25 |
|
ZK514 Woolmans Wood WSZ |
44513 |
Burham; Cuxton; Luton; Nashenden; Snodhurst; Strood; Lower Bush |
SRN-Risk-ZK514-10-25 |
|
ZK515 Adisham WSZ |
19554 |
Wingham |
SRN-Risk-ZK515-10-25 |
|
ZK516 Beacon Hill WSZ |
6768 |
Flemings; Martin Gorse; Minster; Ringwould; Sparrow Castle; Sutton; Wingham; Woodnesborough; Selling |
SRN-Risk-ZK516-10-25 |
|
ZK517 Deal WSZ |
34444 |
Martin Gorse; Ringwould; Sutton |
SRN-Risk-ZK517-10-25 |
|
ZK519 Martin Mill WSZ |
5093 |
Martin Gorse; Martin Mill; Ringwould; Sutton |
SRN-Risk-ZK519-10-25 |
|
ZK520 Napchester WSZ |
219 |
Martin Gorse; Martin Mill; Ringwould; Sutton |
SRN-Risk-ZK520-01-26 |
|
ZK522 Thanet Strategic WSZ |
1671 |
Flemings; Martin Gorse; Minster; Ringwould; Sparrow Castle; Sutton; Wingham; Woodnesborough; Selling |
SRN-Risk-ZK522-10-25 |
|
ZK523 Margate WSZ |
75722 |
Flemings; Martin Gorse; Minster; Ringwould; Sparrow Castle; Sutton; Wingham; Woodnesborough; Selling |
SRN-Risk-ZK523-10-25 |
|
ZK524 Ramsgate WSZ |
75325 |
Flemings; Martin Gorse; Minster; Ringwould; Sparrow Castle; Sutton; Wingham; Woodnesborough; Selling |
SRN-Risk-ZK524-10-25 |
|
ZK525 West Westfield Sole WSZ |
12348 |
Burham; Cuxton; Eastling; Luton; Matts Hill; Nashenden; Snodhurst; Strood; Danaway; Lower Bush; Selling |
SRN-Risk-ZK525-10-25 |
|
ZS506 Brighton Middle Service 1 WSZ |
57112 |
Hardham; Findon; Sompting; Mossy Bottom; Shoreham; Mile Oak; Goldstone; Patcham; Falmer; Broadwater |
SRN-Risk-ZS506-10-25 |
|
ZS507 Brighton Middle Service 2 WSZ |
88508 |
Hardham; Findon; Sompting; Mossy Bottom; Shoreham; Mile Oak; Goldstone; Patcham; Falmer; Housedean; Newmarket C; Southover; Newmarket B; Broadwater |
SRN-Risk-ZS507-10-25 |
|
ZS509 Arundel WSZ |
3423 |
Arundel |
SRN-Risk-ZS509-10-25 |
|
ZS510 Batworth Park WSZ |
39211 |
Madehurst; Arundel; Burpham; Angmering |
SRN-Risk-ZS510-10-25 |
|
ZS511 Broadwater WSZ |
68984 |
Hardham; Madehurst; Burpham; Angmering; Findon; Stanhope Lodge; Northbrook; Broadwater |
SRN-Risk-ZS511-10-25 |
|
ZS513 Perry Hill WSZ |
1055 |
Madehurst; Burpham; Angmering |
SRN-Risk-ZS513-10-25 |
|
ZS514 Patching Hill WSZ |
24909 |
Madehurst; Burpham; Angmering; Clapham; Patching |
SRN-Risk-ZS514-10-25 |
|
ZS516 Buchan Hill WSZ |
71316 |
Hardham; Findon; Broadwater |
SRN-Risk-ZS516-10-25 |
|
ZS522 Star WSZ |
72619 |
Hardham |
SRN-Risk-ZS522-11-25 |
|
ZS523 Upper Beeding WSZ |
3538 |
Steyning |
SRN-Risk-ZS523-11-25 |
|
ZS524 Turners Hill WSZ |
27356 |
Hardham; Findon; Broadwater |
SRN-Risk-ZS524-10-25 |
|
ZS526 Wiston WSZ |
25291 |
Hardham |
SRN-Risk-ZS526-11-25 |
|
ZS528 Baldslow WSZ |
66120 |
Brede; Beauport |
SRN-Risk-ZS528-10-25 |
|
ZS529 Fairlight WSZ |
34060 |
Brede; Beauport |
SRN-Risk-ZS529-10-25 |
|
ZS530 Brede WSZ |
13101 |
Brede; Beauport |
SRN-Risk-ZS530-10-25 |
|
ZS531 Highdown Hill WSZ |
43547 |
Hardham; Madehurst; Burpham; Angmering; Findon; Stanhope Lodge; Northbrook; Broadwater |
SRN-Risk-ZS531-10-25 |
|
ZS532 Hardham Combined WSZ |
62252 |
Hardham |
SRN-Risk-ZS532-10-25 |
|
ZS533 Hardham / Laws Aquifer Combined WSZ |
19333 |
Hardham; Lodsworth; Rotherfield |
SRN-Risk-ZS533-11-25 |
|
ZS534 Brighton South WSZ |
85951 |
Mile Oak; Goldstone; Patcham; Balsdean; Housedean; Newmarket C; Southover; Newmarket B |
SRN-Risk-ZS534-10-25 |
|
ZS535 Brighton North WSZ |
90812 |
Goldstone; Patcham; Balsdean; Housedean; Newmarket C; Southover; Newmarket B |
SRN-Risk-ZS535-10-25 |
|
ZS536 Balsdean/Southover WSZ |
75498 |
Balsdean; Housedean; Newmarket C; Southover; Newmarket B |
SRN-Risk-ZS536-10-25 |
|
ZS537 Findon WSZ |
16057 |
Hardham; Findon; Broadwater |
SRN-Risk-ZS537-10-25 |
|
ZS539 Mountfield Lane WSZ |
19 |
Crowhurst Bridge |
SRN-Risk-ZS539-11-25 |
|
ZS540 Crawley North WSZ |
3873 |
Outwood |
SRN-Risk-ZS540-10-25 |