Notice of Regulation: Watchgate Water Treatment Works

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

Legal Instrument Database Reference number: UUT3948

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.
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

Date: For the duration of this notice

Operation of all processes within defined normal operating ranges with appropriate triggers, responses and contingency procedures
Date: Ongoing for the duration of this Notice
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
Date: Ongoing for the duration of this Notice
Watchgate water treatment works process operated to requirements of the Site Specific Disinfection Policy
Date: Ongoing for the duration of this Notice
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
Date: Ongoing for the duration of this Notice
Monitor coliforms, E. coli, turbidity, pH and chlorine residuals as part of the routine sampling programme at Watchgate water treatment works final compliance point
Date: Ongoing for the duration of this Notice
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
Date: Ongoing for the duration of this Notice
Issue advice to recipients, should improperly disinfected water enter supply.
Date: Ongoing for the duration of this Notice

Confirm programme of work required to allow shut down of individual streams at Watchgate water treatment works with run to waste facilities
Date: Complete
Confirm programme of work required to mitigate the identified risk of simultaneous failure of the main and back up disinfection systems
Date: Complete
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
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: 31 July 2022
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 July 2022
Review and update drinking water safety plan risk assessment following completion of additional control measures.
Date: 31 August 2022 or within one month of completion of step (b)5

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

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

Provide a progress report annually.
Date: by 31 January each year.
Confirm programme and order of works defined in step (b) 1 and 2
Date: Complete
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: 31 August 2022
Submit the audit strategy for auditing the effectiveness of the measures, as specified in measure (c)1.
Date: Complete
Submit any revisions of the audit strategy produced under measure (c)2.
Date: Within 1 month of a revision
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
Submit a satisfactory completion report accompanied by a revised regulation 28(1) report with Board level Director sign-off
Date: 31 August 2023

Any product or substance used as a result of the requirements in this Notice must comply with regulation 31.
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.
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).
Contravention of a regulation 28(4)(d) requirement is an offence under regulation 33(1). If guilty of such an offence, the Company is liable on summary conviction, or on conviction on indictment, to a fine. Under regulation 33(2) it is a defence for the Company to show that it took all reasonable steps and exercised all due diligence to avoid the commission of the offence.

Signed by authority of the Secretary of State
Nicholas Adjei
Deputy Chief Inspector
29 June 2022
DWI ref: UUT3948
Version 2