Enforcement Order – Section 18(1) of the Water Industry Act 1991
Thames Water Utilities Limited
Reference: TMS-2022-00013
Version Number: 1
Water undertaker as appointed under section 6 of the Water Industry Act 1991: Thames Water Utilities Limited, with registered number 02366661 (hereinafter called ‘the Company’).
Details of this Order:
- The Company has admitted that it has failed to comply with its duties to take (or cause to be taken) and analyse (or cause to be analysed) the prescribed number of samples, at regular intervals throughout the year, from its water supply zones, supply points, treatment works, service reservoirs and abstraction points.
- The Company was notified on 22 December 2022 of the Inspectorate’s intention to make an enforcement order under section 18 of the Act in respect of the contravention of regulations 6, 9, 12, 13, 14 and 17 of the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2016 (‘the Regulations’).
- The Inspectorate has considered any representations or objections to the proposed order, which were duly made and not withdrawn.
- Consequently, the Chief Inspector of Drinking Water, on behalf of the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs makes this order on the Company for the purposes of securing compliance with regulations 6, 9, 12, 13, 14 and 17 of the Regulations.
Requirements:
- The Company is hereby required to complete the steps and reporting outlined in the attached Schedule of Works with effect from the day after this order is made.
Signed
Marcus Rink
Chief Inspector of Drinking Water on behalf of the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
27 January 2023
Reference: TMS-2022-00013
Schedule of Works
Thames Water Utilities Limited
Date: 27 January 2023
Reference: TMS-2022-00013
Version Number: 1
Water undertaker as appointed under section 6 of the Water Industry Act 1991 (as amended): Thames Water Utilities Limited, with registered number 02366661 (hereinafter called ‘the Company’).
Water Treatment Works and Connected Supply System
All the Company’s water treatment works and supply systems.
Steps to be taken
The Company is required to implement the following steps by the date given in each case.
- The Company shall implement measures necessary to ensure full compliance with regulations 6, 9, 12, 13, 14 and 17.
Date: From the day after the final enforcement order is made and thereafter, ongoing for the duration of the order. - Complete a critical review of the Company’s governance, management, contingency arrangements and any other relevant aspect that resulted in the contravention of regulations 6, 9, 12, 13, 14 and 17. Implement any measures identified by the review as a requisite for the purpose of securing and maintaining compliance with requirements of the aforementioned regulations.
Date: 30 June 2023 - Produce a specific Action Plan identifying immediate and long-term mitigating steps to secure and maintain compliance with the requirements of regulations 6, 9, 12, 13, 14 and 17.
Date: 31 January 2023 - Deliver the Company’s Action Plan produced under step 3 to secure and maintain compliance with regulations 6, 9, 12, 13, 14 and 17 in full.
Date: 31 December 2023
Reporting
Provide the Inspectorate with the following reports as specified.
- Report: Quarterly 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: quarterly on 31 January, 30 April, 31 July and 30 October - Report: Critical review
Detail: Provide a summary of the outcomes of the review completed under step 2 and any measures implemented.
Date: 31 July 2023 - Report: Action Plan
Detail: Provide the Action Plan produced under step 3.
Date: 28 February 2023 - 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: Completion report
Detail: Submit a satisfactory completion report.
Date: 29 February 2024