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The Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015

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This is the original version (as it was originally made).

Regulation 25(1)(a)

SCHEDULE 10Sampling and analysis for parameters other than radioactive substances in water bottled and labelled as “spring water” and bottled drinking water

This schedule has no associated Explanatory Memorandum

PART 1General

Analysis of samples

1.—(1) The district council must ensure that each sample is analysed in accordance with Annex III to Directive 98/83 and this Schedule.

(2) For each parameter specified in the first column of Table 1 in Part 2 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 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, the method of analysis must be capable of measuring a value with a trueness of 0.2pH 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 ºC.

(6) For the purpose of this paragraph—

“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

2.—(1) The Agency may authorise a method different from that set out in Part 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 district councils

3.—(1) A district council may enter into an arrangement for any person to take and analyse samples on its behalf.

(2) A district council 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 2Methods of analysis and performance characteristics

Table 1

Prescribed methods of analysis

ParameterMethod
(1)

Use the following method to make m-CP agar:

Clostridium perfringens (including spores)Membrane filtration followed by anaerobic incubation of the membrane on m-CP agar(1) at 44 ±1ºC 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 22ºC – enumeration of culturable microorganismsBS-EN ISO 6222
Colony count 37ºC – enumeration of culturable microorganismsBS-EN ISO 6222
EnterococciBS-EN ISO 7899-2
Escherichia coli (E. Coli)BS-EN ISO 9308-1
Pseudomonas aeruginosaBS-EN ISO 12780

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 basal medium, adjust pH to 7.6 and autoclave at 121ºC for 15 minutes. Allow the medium to cool.
Dissolve—
D-cycloserine400.0mg
Polymyxine-B sulphate25.0mg
Indoxl-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

Table 2

Prescribed performance characteristics for methods of analysis

ParametersTrueness % of prescribed concentration or value specificationPrecision % of prescribed concentration or value or specificationLimit of detection % of prescribed concentration or value or specification
(1)

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

(2)

Oxidation should be carried out for 10 minutes at 100ºC under acid conditions using permanganate.

(3)

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

(4)

The performance characteristics apply to the individual substances specified at 25% of the parametric value in Table B in Part 2, Schedule 7.

(5)

The performance characteristics apply to the individual substance specified at 50% of the parametric value in Table B in Part 2, Schedule 7.

Aluminium101010
Ammonium101010
Antimony252525
Arsenic101010
Benzene252525
Benzo(a)pyrene252525
Boron101010
Bromate252525
Cadmium101010
Chloride101010
Chromium101010
Conductivity101010
Copper101010
Cyanide(1)101010
1,2-dichloroethane252510
Fluoride101010
Iron101010
Lead101010
Manganese101010
Mercury201020
Nickel101010
Nitrate101010
Nititre101010
Oxidisability(2)252510
Pesticides and related products(3)252525
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(4)252525
Selenium101010
Sodium101010
Sulphate101010
Tetrachloroethene(5)252510
Tetrachloromethane202020
Trichloroethene(5)252510
Trihalomethanes(4)252510

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