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

Regulation 25(1)(a)

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

PART 1 General

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 2 Methods of analysis and performance characteristics

Table 1

Prescribed methods of analysis

Parameter	Method
(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 bacteria	BS-EN ISO 9308-1
Colony count 22ºC – enumeration of culturable microorganisms	BS-EN ISO 6222
Colony count 37ºC – enumeration of culturable microorganisms	BS-EN ISO 6222
Enterococci	BS-EN ISO 7899-2
Escherichia coli (E. Coli)	BS-EN ISO 9308-1
Pseudomonas aeruginosa	BS-EN ISO 12780

Make a basal medium consisting of—

Tryptose	30.0g
Yeast extract	20.0g
Sucrose	5.0g
L-cysteine hydrochloride	1.0g
MgSO4.7H2O	0.1g
Bromocresol purple	40.0mg
Agar	15.0g
Water	1,000.0ml
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-cycloserine	400.0mg
Polymyxine-B sulphate	25.0mg
Indoxl-β-D-glucoside	60.0mg
into 8ml sterile water and add it to the medium.
Add to the medium—
Filter-sterilised 0.5% phenolphthalein diphosphate solution	20.0ml
Filter-sterilised 4.5% FeCl3.6H2O	2.0ml

Table 2

Prescribed performance characteristics for methods of analysis

Parameters	Trueness % of prescribed concentration or value specification	Precision % of prescribed concentration or value or specification	Limit 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.
Aluminium	10	10	10
Ammonium	10	10	10
Antimony	25	25	25
Arsenic	10	10	10
Benzene	25	25	25
Benzo(a)pyrene	25	25	25
Boron	10	10	10
Bromate	25	25	25
Cadmium	10	10	10
Chloride	10	10	10
Chromium	10	10	10
Conductivity	10	10	10
Copper	10	10	10
Cyanide(1)	10	10	10
1,2-dichloroethane	25	25	10
Fluoride	10	10	10
Iron	10	10	10
Lead	10	10	10
Manganese	10	10	10
Mercury	20	10	20
Nickel	10	10	10
Nitrate	10	10	10
Nititre	10	10	10
Oxidisability(2)	25	25	10
Pesticides and related products(3)	25	25	25
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(4)	25	25	25
Selenium	10	10	10
Sodium	10	10	10
Sulphate	10	10	10
Tetrachloroethene(5)	25	25	10
Tetrachloromethane	20	20	20
Trichloroethene(5)	25	25	10
Trihalomethanes(4)	25	25	10