The Private Water Supplies Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009

PART 1 N.I. General

Samples: general N.I.

1.—(1) The Department shall ensure that each sample taken in accordance with a monitoring programme is—

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

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

(c) kept at such temperature and in such conditions as will secure that there is no material alteration of a concentration, value or state of any parameter for which the sample is to be analysed; and

(d) analysed as soon as may be after it has been taken—

(i) by a person who is competent to perform that task; and

(ii) with the use of such equipment as is suitable for the purpose.

Commencement Information

I1 Sch. 4 para. 1 in operation at 18.1.2010, see reg. 1

Analysing samples N.I.

2.—(1) The Department shall ensure that each sample is analysed in accordance with this paragraph.

(2) For each parameter specified in the first column of Table A in Part 2 of this Schedule—

(a) the method of analysis specified in the second column of that table; or

(b) an alternative method of analysis authorised under paragraph 3;

(3) For each parameter specified in the first column of Table B in Part 2 of this Schedule the method of analysis 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, a method of analysis which is capable at the time of use of measuring a value with a trueness of 0.2 pH unit and a precision of 0.2 pH unit.

(5) For these purposes—

“limit of detection” is to be calculated as—

(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 to be calculated as twice the standard deviation (within a batch and between batches) of the spread of results about the mean; and

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

Commencement Information

I2 Sch. 4 para. 2 in operation at 18.1.2010, see reg. 1

Authorisation of alternative methods of analysis N.I.

3.—(1) If the Department is satisfied that an alternative method of analysis is at least as reliable as a method of analysis prescribed by paragraph 2(2)(a), it may authorise its use instead of the prescribed method.

(2) The Department shall provide the European Commission with relevant information concerning such methods and their equivalence.

Commencement Information

I3 Sch. 4 para. 3 in operation at 18.1.2010, see reg. 1

Laboratories N.I.

4.  The Department shall ensure that any laboratory at which samples are analysed has a system of analytical quality control that is subjected from time to time to checking by a person who is—

(a) not under the control of either the laboratory or the Department; and

(b) approved by the Department for that purpose.

Commencement Information

I4 Sch. 4 para. 4 in operation at 18.1.2010, see reg. 1

Interpretation N.I.

5.  In this schedule—

“laboratory” includes any land at which samples are analysed for the purposes of these Regulations (including on-site analysis); and

“taking and analysing samples” includes taking, handling, transporting, storing and analysing samples.

Commencement Information

I5 Sch. 4 para. 5 in operation at 18.1.2010, see reg. 1