United Utilities Water Limited – Watchgate Works Contact Tanks Notice

Notice under regulation 28(4) of the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2016 (as amended)

Reference: UUT-2026-00001

Version Number: 1

Water undertaker as appointed under section 6 of the Water Industry Act 1991 (as amended): United Utilities Water Limited, with registered number 02366678 (hereinafter called ‘the company’).

Assets Affected:

• T046 Watchgate Works
• Y1492 Barrow Supply System, Y1493 Blackburn Supply System, Y1501 Eden Supply System, Y1504 Hyndburn Supply System, Y1502 Fylde Supply System, Y1505 Kendal Supply System, Y1506 Lancaster Supply System, Y1511 Preston Supply System, Y1512 Ribble Valley Supply System and Y1515 South Ribble Supply System.

Details of this Notice:

1. The Drinking Water Inspectorate (‘the Inspectorate’) has received a regulation 28(1) report of the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2016 (as amended) (‘the Regulations’) from the company dated 20 February 2026, which states that there is or has been a significant risk of supplying water from Watchgate works (and associated assets as applicable) that could constitute a potential danger to human health or could be unwholesome.
2. Consequently, this Notice is served on the company by the Inspectorate on behalf of the Secretary of State, under regulation 28(4) for the assets listed above, for risks associated with:

Table 1: Table of the hazards, hazardous events, and/or parameters covered by this Notice, including the Hazard I D numbers and the description of risks.

Description of Risk	Hazard/ Hazardous Event/ Parameter	Hazard I D
Bacteriological risks to treated drinking water from the contact tanks and outlet well.	E. coli Coliform bacteria Enterococci SPP. Colony counts	T046C002239047 T046C001239047 T046C003239047 T046C007239047

3. The company are required to satisfy the following requirements.

The date given is that until or by which the requirements must be maintained or satisfied, as appropriate.

Requirements:

(a) To maintain the following measures for the period specified in each case:

1. Operation of all processes within defined normal operating ranges with appropriate triggers, responses and contingency procedures.
   Date: Ongoing for the duration of this Notice.
2. Critical control points in the treatment process are monitored and protected by alarm via telemetry to the Integrated Control Centre.
   Date: Ongoing for the duration of this Notice.
3. Watchgate works process operated to requirements of the Site-Specific Disinfection Policy.
   Date: Ongoing for the duration of this Notice.
4. Compliance and operational data from Watchgate works and associated water supply zones is reviewed as part of the Tier 1-3 source to tap process.
   Date: Ongoing for the duration of this Notice.
5. Monitor coliform bacteria, E. coli, pH and chlorine residuals as part of the routine sampling programme at Watchgate works final compliance point.
   Date: Ongoing for the duration of this Notice.
6. If a water sample from Watchgate water treatment works treated water exceeds a regulatory standard, implement appropriate measures to protect public health.
   Date: Ongoing for the duration of this Notice.
7. Maintain appropriate procedures (including liaison with relevant stakeholders as appropriate) to respond to any occurrence of sub optimal disinfection to protect human health.
   Date: Ongoing for the duration of this Notice.

(b) To review, revise or make operational the following measures, by the dates specified in each case:

1. Carry out an assessment of the condition of the outlet channel and outlet well to inform future asset strategy.
   Date: 31 December 2026.
2. Following on from measure (b)1, if required, carry out a feasibility study into options to isolate the outlet well at Watchgate works.
   Date: 31 December 2027.
3. Plan for the implementation of an inspection and cleaning of the outlet channel at Watchgate works. The plan should include suitable timescales and dates for when the work will be completed, taking into account water quality.
   Date: 31 December 2026.
4. Following on from measure (b)3, carry out an inspection and cleaning of the outlet channel at Watchgate works, as far as practicable.
   Date: 31 July 2028.

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

1. Define an audit strategy to monitor the effectiveness of the measures specified in sections (a) and (b).
   Date: 30 June 2026.
2. Implement, and keep under continuous review, the audit strategy defined in measure (c)1.
   Date: Following completion of measure (c)1. onwards.

(d) Not to supply water for regulation 4(1) purposes from Watchgate works, or not to so supply unless the specified conditions below are satisfied:

1. Not applicable.

(e) To provide the following information in the time and manner specified below to enable monitoring of progress towards the mitigation of the risks:

1. Provide a progress report annually.
   Date: by 31 January each year.
2. Submit a report into the assessment of the condition of the outlet channel and outlet well, as required in measure (b)1.
   Date: 31 January 2027.
3. If required, provide a copy of the feasibility study carried out in measure (b)2.
   Date: 31 January 2028.
4. Provide the plan, with suitable timescales and dates, devised in measure (b)3.
   Date: 31 January 2027.
5. Provide the inspection report for the outlet channel at Watchgate works, carried out in measure (b)4.
   Date: 31 August 2028.
6. Submit the audit strategy for auditing the effectiveness of the measures, as specified in measure (c)1.
   Date: 31 July 2026.
7. Submit any revisions of the audit strategy produced under measure (c)2.
   Date: Within 1 month of a revision
8. Submit a report in the event that any completed measures of this Notice need to be altered in any way, for any reason.
   Date: Ongoing for the duration of this Notice
9. Submit a satisfactory completion report accompanied by a revised regulation 28(1) report with Board level Director sign-off.
   Date: 31 August 2029.

Further Details of this Notice:

4. Any product or substance used as a result of the requirements in this Notice must comply with regulation 31.
5. Under regulation 28(6) the Inspectorate, on behalf of the Secretary of State, may by notice served on the company, revoke or vary this Notice.
6. Failure by the company to comply with this Notice may result in enforcement proceedings under section 18 of the Water Industry Act 1991 (as amended).

Signed

 

Nicholas Adjei
Deputy Chief Inspector, on behalf of the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
30 March 2026.
Reference: UUT-2026-00001 v1