The Water Supply (Water Quality) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

Regulation 2 amends the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007, as amended, to include an additional analytical parameter (radon), with associated threshold values and sampling frequency. In addition the regulation updates sampling frequencies for tritium and indicative dose (ID).

Regulation 2 also introduces the option to reduce the sampling frequencies in respect of radon, tritium and ID to zero based on a risk assessment, incorporating representative surveys, monitoring data, or other reliable information.

The regulation also updates references to Directive 89/106/EEC on the approximation of laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States relating to construction products with references to Regulation (EU) No. 305/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down harmonised conditions for the marketing of construction products and repealing Council Directive 89/106/EEC.

Regulation 3 amends the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 by updating references to Directive 89/106/EEC on the approximation of laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States relating to construction products with references to Regulation (EU) No. 305/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down harmonised conditions for the marketing of construction products and repealing Council Directive 89/106/EEC.

The table in Schedule 1 consolidates and presents in a single table the indicator parameters from Schedule 2 of the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 as amended. The table adds radon as a further indicator parameter and sets a parametric value of 100 Bq/l.

Table 1 in Schedule 2 adds tritium, radon, and ID as parameters falling under the check monitoring requirement if measures have been put in place at a treatment works to reduce radionuclides.

Table 2 in Schedule 2 consolidates and presents in a single table the annual sampling frequencies for water supply zones contained in Table 2 of Schedule 3 to the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007, as amended, and adds radon with an appropriate sampling frequency.

Table 3 in Schedule 2 consolidates and presents in a single table the annual sampling frequencies for treatment works or supply points contained in Table 3 of Schedule 3 to the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007, as amended, and adds radon with an appropriate sampling frequency.

Schedule 3 inserts a new Schedule 5 into the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007. It details the steps for monitoring ID using gross alpha and gross beta as a screening strategy and outlines the additional analysis required if either gross alpha or gross beta is found to exceed the screening level. It also sets minimum limits of detection for analysis of a range of radionuclides.