The Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water (England) Regulations 2007

[F1 Action following the results of analysis E+W+S

32.— (1) This paragraph applies if the result of an analysis of a sample of any water carried out by a food authority under paragraph 31, or under any other provision of this Schedule, detects an activity concentration of tritium exceeding 100 Bq/l in that sample (“Sample X”).

(2) The food authority must—

(a) take and analyse an extra sample of the water as soon as reasonably practicable after the result of Sample X is detected by it to determine the activity concentration of tritium in the extra sample,

(b) if the food authority considers it appropriate to do so, continue taking and analysing extra samples of the water to determine the activity concentration of tritium in those samples at such intervals and for such period as the food authority, taking into account sub-paragraphs (3) to (5), considers appropriate,

(c) determine, by analysis, the gross alpha activity and gross beta activity of the water using water from the same sample, and

(d) taking into account such information about likely sources of radioactivity affecting the water as the food authority considers relevant, analyse a sample of the water (whether water from the same sample or from a different sample of the water) to determine whether such other artificial radionuclides as the food authority may consider relevant are present in the water.

(3) The food authority must, disregarding the result of Sample X, determine the average of the activity concentration of tritium in the water for such 12 month period as the authority considers appropriate (whether the 12 month period used by the food authority for the purpose of its monitoring programme or some other 12 month period) on the basis of—

(a) the results of the analyses of samples of the water carried out before the determination of the result of Sample X,

(b) the result of the analysis of the extra sample under sub-paragraph (2)(a), and

(c) where extra samples are [F2 taken] under sub-paragraph (2)(b), the results of the analyses of those extra samples.

(4) No further action by the food authority is required if the outcome of the determination under sub-paragraph (3) is that the average of the activity concentration of tritium in the water for the relevant 12 month period does not exceed 100 Bq/l.

(5) The food authority must take action under paragraph 57(1) (remedial action) if the outcome of the determination under sub-paragraph (3) is that the average of the activity concentration of tritium in the water for the relevant 12 month period exceeds 100 Bq/l.

(6) Sub-paragraphs (2)(a) and (b) and (3) to (5) do not apply if the food authority is of the opinion that—

(a) even if it took extra samples under sub-paragraph (2)(a) and (b) to enable it to determine the activity concentration of tritium in those extra samples, it would have insufficient results from previous determinations relating to the activity concentration of tritium in the water to enable it to make the determination required by sub-paragraph (3) within such period as the food authority considers to be reasonable, or

(b) for some other reason, the result of such a determination under sub-paragraph (3) based on the results of those extra samples and previous determinations may give a distorted result.

(7) Where an activity concentration of tritium exceeding 100 Bq/l is detected in a sample of water and, by virtue of sub-paragraph (6), sub-paragraphs (2)(a) and (b) and (3) to (5) do not apply, the food authority must take action under paragraph 57(1).

(8) Where a determination of the gross alpha activity and gross beta activity must be made by a food authority under sub-paragraph (2)(c), the food authority must apply the provisions of paragraph 38(2) to (8), in the case of gross alpha activity, and paragraph 39(2) to (8), in the case of gross beta activity, in carrying out that determination and deciding what further action, if any, to take.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Sch. 12 inserted (6.4.2018) by The Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/352), reg. 1(1), Sch. 2

F2 Word in Sch. 12 para. 32(3)(c) inserted (29.3.2019) by The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Miscellaneous Amendments etc.) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/526), regs. 1(2), 27(2)(b)