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The Private Water Supplies (Wales) Regulations 2010

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This is the original version (as it was originally made).

Regulations 4, 10, 15 and 17

SCHEDULE 1Concentrations or Values

PART 1Wholesomeness

TABLE A: MICROBIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS

Prescribed concentrations or values

ParametersMaximum concentration or valueUnits of Measurement
Escherichia coli (E. coli)0Number/100ml
Enterococci0Number/100ml
In the case of water in bottles or containers:
Escherichia coli (E.coli)0Number/250ml
Enterococci0Number/250ml
Pseudomonas aeruginosa0Number/250ml
Colony count 22°C100Number/ml
Colony count 37°C20Number/ml

TABLE B:CHEMICAL PARAMETERS

Prescribed concentrations or values

ParametersMaximum concentration or valueUnits of Measurement
(i)

The parametric value refers to the residual monomer concentration in the water as calculated according to specifications of the maximum release from the corresponding polymer in contact with the water. This is controlled by product specification.

(ii)

See also the nitrate-nitrite formula in regulation 4(c).

(iii)

For these purposes “Pesticides” means:

  • organic insecticides

  • organic herbicides

  • organic fungicides

  • organic nematocides

  • organic acaricides

  • organic algicides

  • organic rodenticides

  • organic slimicides

related products (inter alia, growth regulators) and their relevant metabolites, degradation and reaction products.

Only those pesticides likely to be present in a given supply need be monitored.

(iv)

“Pesticides total” means the sum of the concentrations of the individual pesticides detected and quantified in the monitoring process.

(v)

The specified compounds are:

  • benzo(b)fluoranthene

  • benzo(k)fluoranthene

  • benzo(ghi)perylene

  • indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene.

The parametric value applies to the sum of the concentrations of the individual compounds detected and quantified in the monitoring process.

(vi)

The parametric value applies to the sum of the concentrations of the individual compounds detected and quantified in the monitoring process.

(vii)

The specified compounds are:

  • chloroform

  • bromoform

  • dibromochloromethane

  • bromodichloromethane.

The parametric value applies to the sum of the concentrations of the individual compounds detected and quantified in the monitoring process.

Acrylamide (i)0.10μg/l
Antimony5.0μg/l
Arsenic10μg/l
Benzene1.0μg/l
Benzo(a)pyrene0.010μg/l
Boron1.0mg/l
Bromate10μg/l
Cadmium5.0μg/l
Chromium50μg/l
Copper2.0mg/l
Cyanide50μg/l
1, 2 dichloroethane3.0μg/l
Epichlorohydrin (i)0.10μg/l
Fluoride1.5mg/l
Lead25 (until 25th December 2013)μg/l
10 (from 25th December 2013)μg/l
Mercury1.0μg/l
Nickel20μg/l
Nitrate (ii)50mg/l
Nitrite(ii)0.5 (or 0.1 in the case of treatment works)mg/l
Pesticides (iii)
  • Aldrin

0.030μg/l
  • Dieldrin

0.030μg/l
  • Heptachlor

0.030μg/l
  • Heptachlor epoxide

0.030μg/l
  • Other pesticides

0.10μg/l
  • Pesticides total (iv)

0.50μg/l
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (v)0.10μg/l
Selenium10μg/l
Tetrachloroethene and Trichloroethene (vi)10μg/l
Trihalomethanes: Total (vii)100μg/l
Vinyl chloride (i)0.50μg/l

National requirements — Prescribed concentrations or values

ParametersMaximum concentration or valueUnits of Measurement
Aluminium200μg/l
Colour20mg/l Pt/Co
Iron200μg/l
Manganese50μg/l
OdourAcceptable to consumers and no abnormal change
Sodium200mg/l
TasteAcceptable to consumers and no abnormal change
Tetrachloromethane3μg/l
Turbidity4NTU

PART 2Indicator Parameters

TABLE C

Prescribed concentrations, values or states

ParametersMaximum concentration or value or state (unless otherwise stated)Units of measurement
(i)

The water should not be aggressive.

(ii)

Excluding tritium, potassium-40, radon and radon decay products.

(iii)

Only in the case of surface water or groundwater that has been influenced by surface water.

Ammonium0.50mg/l
Chloride (i)250mg/l
Clostridium perfringens0Number/100ml
(including spores)
Coliform bacteria0Number/100ml (Number/250ml in the case of water put into bottles or containers)
Colony countsNo abnormal changeNumber/ml at 22°C
No abnormal changeNumber/ml at 37°C
Conductivity (i)2500μS/cm at 20°C
Hydrogen ion9.5 (maximum)pH value
6.5 (minimum) (in the case of still water put into bottles or containers the minimum is 4.5)pH value
Sulphate (i)250mg/l
Total indicative dose (for radioactivity) (ii)0.10mSv/year
Total organic carbon (TOC)No abnormal changemgC/l
Tritium
(for radioactivity)100Bq/l
Turbidity(iii)1NTU

Regulation 9

SCHEDULE 2Monitoring

PART 1Check monitoring

Sampling

1.—(1) A local authority must undertake check monitoring in accordance with this Part.

(2) Check monitoring means sampling for each parameter listed in Table 1 in the circumstances listed in that table in order—

(a)to determine whether or not water complies with the concentrations or values in Schedule 1;

(b)to provide information on the organoleptic and microbiological quality of the water; and

(c)to establish the effectiveness of the treatment of the water, including disinfection.

Table 1
Check monitoring
ParameterCircumstances
AluminiumWhen used as flocculant or where the water originates from, or is influenced by, surface waters
AmmoniumIn all supplies
Clostridium perfringens (including spores) watersWhere the water originates from, or is influenced by, surface
Coliform bacteriaIn all supplies
Colony countsIn all supplies
ColourIn all supplies
ConductivityIn all supplies
Escherichia coli (E. coli)In all supplies
Hydrogen ion concentrationIn all supplies
IronWhen used as flocculant or where the water originates from, or is influenced by, surface waters
ManganeseWhere the water originates from, or is influenced by, surface waters
NitrateWhen chloramination is practised
NitriteWhen chloramination is practised
OdourIn all supplies
Pseudomonas aeruginosaOnly in the case of water in bottles or containers
TasteIn all supplies
TurbidityIn all supplies

Frequency of sampling

2.—(1) Sampling must be carried out at frequencies specified in Table 2.

Table 2
Sampling frequency for check monitoring
Volume m3/daySampling frequency per year
≤ 101
> 10 ≤ 1002
> 100 ≤ 1,0004
> 1,000 ≤ 2,00010
> 2,000 ≤ 3,00013
> 3,000 ≤ 4,00016
> 4,000 ≤ 5,00019
> 5,000 ≤ 6,00022
> 6,000 ≤ 7,00025
> 7,000 ≤ 8,00028
> 8,000 ≤ 9,00031
> 9,000 ≤ 10,00034
> 10,0004 + 3 for each 1,000 m3/day of the total volume (rounding up to the nearest multiple of 1,000 m3/day)

(2) The local authority may reduce the frequency of sampling for a parameter to a frequency not less than half if—

(a)the local authority is of the opinion that the quality of water in the supply is unlikely to deteriorate;

(b)in the case of hydrogen ion the parameter has had a pH value that is not less than 6.5 and not more than 9.5; and

(c)in all other cases, in each of two successive years the results of samples taken for the purposes of monitoring the parameter in question are constant and significantly lower than the concentrations or values laid down in Schedule 1.

(3) The local authority may set a higher frequency for any parameter if it considers it appropriate taking into account the findings of any risk assessment, and in addition may monitor anything else identified in the risk assessment.

(4) Notwithstanding the provisions in sub-paragraph (2) above, there must be a minimum of 1 sample per year.

PART 2Audit monitoring

Sampling

3.—(1) A local authority must undertake audit monitoring in accordance with this Part.

(2) Audit monitoring means sampling for each parameter listed in Schedule 1 (other than parameters already being sampled under check monitoring) in order to provide information necessary to determine whether or not the private supply satisfies each concentration, value or state specified in that Schedule and, if disinfection is used, to check that disinfection by-products are kept as low as possible without compromising the disinfection.

(3) The local authority may, for such time as it may decide, exclude a parameter from the audit monitoring of a private supply—

(a)if it considers that the parameter in question is unlikely to be present in the supply or system at a concentration or value that poses a risk of the private supply failing to meet the concentration, value or state specified in Schedule 1 in respect of that parameter;

(b)taking into account the findings of any risk assessment; and

(c)taking into account any guidance issued by the Welsh Ministers.

(4) It may monitor anything else identified in the risk assessment.

Frequency of sampling

4.—(1) Sampling must be carried out at the frequencies specified in Table 3.

Table 3
Sampling frequency for audit monitoring
Volume m3/daySampling frequency per year
≤ 101
> 10 ≤ 3,3002
> 3,300 ≤ 6,6003
> 6,600 ≤ 10,0004
> 10,000 ≤ 100,0003 + 1 for each 10,000 m3/day of the total volume (rounding up to the nearest multiple of 10,000 m3/day)
> 100,00010 + 1 for each 25,000 m3/day of the total volume (rounding up to the nearest multiple of 25,000 m3/day)

(2) The local authority may set a higher frequency for any parameter if it considers it appropriate taking into account the findings of any risk assessment.

PART 3Minimum frequency for both check monitoring and audit monitoring for water put into bottles or containers

Volume1 of water produced in bottles or containers each day (m3)Check monitoring number of samples per yearAudit monitoring number of samples per year
1

The volumes are calculated as averages taken over a calendar year.

≤ 1011
>10≤60121
> 601 for each 5 m3/day of the total volume (rounding up to the nearest multiple of 5 m3/day)1 for each 100 m3/day of the total volume (rounding up to the nearest multiple of 100 m3/day)

Regulation 11

SCHEDULE 3Sampling and analysis

PART 1General

Samples: general

1.—(1) The local authority must ensure that each sample is—

(d)taken by a competent person using suitable equipment;

(e)representative of the water at the sampling point at the time of sampling;

(f)not contaminated in the course of being taken;

(g)kept at such temperature and in such conditions as will secure that there is no material change in what is to be measured; and

(h)analysed without delay by a competent person using suitable equipment.

(2) It must ensure that the sample is analysed using a system of analytical quality control.

(3) The system must be subjected to checking by a person who is—

(a)not under the control of either the analyst or the local authority; and

(b)approved by the Welsh Ministers for that purpose.

Analysing samples

2.—(1) The local authority must ensure that each sample is analysed in accordance with this paragraph.

(2) For each parameter specified in the first column of Table 1 in Part 2 of this Schedule the method of analysis is specified in the second column of that table.

(3) For each parameter specified in the first column of Table 2 in Part 2 of this Schedule the method is one that is capable of—

(a)measuring concentrations and values with the trueness and precision specified in the second and third columns of that table, and

(b)detecting the parameter at the limit of detection specified in the fourth column of that table.

(4) For hydrogen ion, the method of analysis must be capable of measuring a value with a trueness of 0.2 pH unit and a precision of 0.2 pH unit.

(5) The method of analysis used for odour and taste parameters must be capable of measuring values equal to the parametric value with a precision of 1 dilution number at 25°C.

(5) For these purposes—

  • “limit of detection” is —

    (a)

    three times the relative within-batch standard deviation of a natural sample containing a low concentration of the parameter; or

    (b)

    five times the relative within-batch standard deviation of a blank sample;

  • “precision” (the random error) is twice the standard deviation (within a batch and between batches) of the spread of results about the mean;

  • “trueness” (the systematic error) is the difference between the mean value of the large number of repeated measurements and the true value.

Authorisation of alternative methods of analysis

3.—(1) The Welsh Ministers may authorise a method different from that set out in paragraph 2(2) if satisfied that it is at least as reliable.

(2) An authorisation may be time-limited and may be revoked at any time.

Sampling and analysis by persons other than local authorities

4.—(1) A local authority may enter into an arrangement for any person to take and analyse samples on its behalf.

(2) A local authority must not enter into an arrangement under paragraph (1) unless—

(a)it is satisfied that the task will be carried out promptly by a person competent to perform it, and

(b)it has made arrangements that ensure that any breach of these Regulations is communicated to it immediately, and any other result is communicated to it within 28 days.

PART 2Analytical methods

Table 1

Prescribed methods of analysis

ParameterMethod
*

Use the following method to make m-CP agar :

Make a basal medium consisting of—

Tryptose30.0g
Yeast extract20.0g
Sucrose5.0g
L-cysteine hydrochloride1.0g
MgSO4.7H2O0.1g
Bromocresol purple40.0mg
Agar15.0g
Water1,000.0ml

Dissolve the ingredients of the basal medium, adjust pH to 7.6 and autoclave at 121°C for 15 minutes. Allow the medium to cool.

Dissolve—

D-cycloserine400.0mg
Polymyxine-B sulphate25.0mg
Indoxyl-β-D-glucoside60.0mg

into 8ml sterile water and add it to the medium.

Add to the medium—

Filter-sterilised 0.5% phenolphthalein diphosphate solution20.0ml
Filter-sterilised 4.5% FeCl3.6H2O2.0ml
Clostridium perfringens (including spores)Membrane filtration followed by anaerobic incubation of the membrane on m-CP agar* at 44 ± 1°C for 21 ± 3 hours. Count opaque yellow colonies that turn pink or red after exposure to ammonium hydroxide vapours for 20 to 30 seconds.
Coliform bacteriaBS-EN ISO 9308-1
Colony count 22°C — enumeration of culturable microorganismsBS-EN ISO 6222
Colony count 37°C — enumeration of culturable microorganismsBS-EN ISO 6222
Enterococci BS-EN ISO 7899-2
Escherichia coli (E. coli)BS-EN ISO 9308-1
Pseudomonas aeruginosaBS-EN-ISO 12780

Table 2

Prescribed performance characteristics for methods of analysis

ParametersTrueness % of prescribed concentration or value or specificationPrecision % of prescribed concentration or value or specificationLimit of detection % of prescribed concentration or value or specification
Notes:
(i)

The method of analysis should determine total cyanide in all forms.

(ii)

The performance characteristics apply to each individual pesticide and will depend on the pesticide concerned.

(iii)

The performance characteristics apply to the individual substances specified at 25% of the parametric value in Part I of Table B in Schedule 1.

(iv)

The performance characteristics apply to the individual substances specified at 50% of the parametric value in Part I of Table B in Schedule 1.

(v)

The performance characteristics apply to the prescribed value of 4 NTU.

(vi)

The performance characteristics apply to the specification of 1 NTU for surface waters or ground waters influenced by surface water.

Aluminium101010
Ammonium101010
Antimony252525
Arsenic101010
Benzene252525
Benzo(a)pyrene252525
Boron101010
Bromate252525
Cadmium101010
Chloride101010
Chromium101010
Colour101010
Conductivity101010
Copper101010
Cyanide (i)101010
1,2-dichloroethane252510
Fluoride101010
Iron101010
Lead101010
Manganese101010
Mercury201020
Nickel101010
Nitrate101010
Nitrite101010
Pesticides and related products (ii)252525
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (iii)252525
Selenium101010
Sodium101010
Sulphate101010
Tetrachloroethene (iv)252510
Tetrachloromethane202020
Trichloroethene (iv)252510
Trihalomethanes:
Total (iii)252510
Turbidity (v)101010
Turbidity (vi)252525

Regulations 12 and 13

SCHEDULE 4Records

Initial records

1.—(1) A local authority must, before [ ], record the number of private supplies in its area, and for each supply must record—

(a)the name of the supply, together with a unique identifier;

(b)the type of source;

(c)the geographical location using a grid reference;

(d)an estimate of the number of people supplied;

(e)an estimate of the average daily volume of water supplied in cubic metres;

(f)the type of premises supplied;

(g)detail of any treatment process, together with its location;

(h)the name of the Health Protection Agency in whose area the supply is located.

(2) It must review and update the record at least once a year.

(3) It must keep the record for at least 30 years.

Additional records

2.—(1) For each supply it must record, within 28 days of each of the following taking place—

(a)a plan and description of the supply;

(b)the monitoring programme for the supply;

(c)the risk assessment;

(d)the date, results and location of any sampling and analysis relating to that supply, and the reason for taking the sample;

(e)the results of any investigation undertaken in accordance with these Regulations;

(f)any authorisation;

(g)any notices served under section 80 of the Water Industry Act 1991, or regulation 18;

(h)any action agreed to be taken by any person under these Regulations;

(i)any request for the local authority to carry out sampling and analysis, undertake a risk assessment or give advice;

(j)a summary of any advice given in relation to the supply.

(2) It must keep the risk assessment and records of sampling and analysis for at least thirty years, and all other records under this paragraph for at least five years.

Regulation 21

SCHEDULE 5Fees

Fee

1.  The local authority may charge a fee, payable on invoice, for the activities in the following table, and the fee is the reasonable cost of providing the service subject to the following maximum amounts.

ServiceMaximum fee (£)
(i)

No fee is payable where a sample is taken and analysed solely to confirm or clarify the results of the analysis of a previous sample.

Risk assessment (each assessment):500
Sampling (each visit) (i):100
Investigation (each investigation):100
Granting an authorisation (each authorisation):100
Analysing a sample—
  • taken under regulation 10:

25
  • taken during check monitoring:

100
  • taken during audit monitoring:

500

Persons liable to pay

2.—(1) Any person requesting anything under these Regulations is liable for the cost.

(2) Otherwise fees are payable, as specified in the invoice, by the relevant person as defined in section 80(7) of the Water Industry Act 1991.

(3) Where more than one person is liable, in determining who is required to make payment the local authority—

(a)may apportion the charge between them; and

(b)must have regard to any agreement or other document produced to the local authority relating to the terms on which water is supplied.

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