2015 No. 363
The Water Supply (Water Quality) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015
Made
Coming into operation
The Department for Regional Development is designated F1 for the purposes of section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972 F2, in relation to the environment.
The Department for Regional Development makes these Regulations under Articles 107(1) and (3), 109, and 300(2) of the Water and Sewerage Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 F3 and section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972 F4.
Citation, commencement and interpretation1
1
These Regulations may be cited as the Water Supply (Water Quality) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 and shall come into operation on 28th November 2015.
2
In these Regulations, “the principal Regulations” means the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 F5.
3
In these Regulations “the secondary Regulations” means the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 F6.
4
The Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 F7 shall apply to these regulations as it applies to an Act of the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Amendments to the principal Regulations2
1
The principal Regulations are amended as follows.
2
In Regulation 2(1), in the appropriate place, insert “ “
Indicative Dose
”
or “ID” means the committed effective dose for one year of ingestion resulting from all the radionuclides whose presence has been
detected in a supply of water intended for human consumption, of natural and artificial origin, but excluding tritium, potassium-40,
radon and short-lived radon decay products;”
3
In Regulation 6(6)— for “(total indicative dose and tritium)” substitute “
(indicative dose, radon and tritium)
”
.
4
After regulation 6(6) insert —
6A
— A water undertaker may use a screening strategy for gross alpha and gross beta to monitor for the parametric indicator value for indicative dose. Screening values and the additional radiological investigation required in the event of an exceedance are detailed in Schedule 5.
5
In Regulation 6(7)—
a
For “If, in relation to any water supply zone, the Department is satisfied that water supplied to that zone for regulation
4(1) purposes—” substitute “
If, in relation to any water supply zone the water undertaker can submit evidence based on representative surveys, monitoring
data, or other reliable information satisfying the Department that water supplied to that zone for regulation 4(1) purposes—
”
.
b
In sub-paragraph (a) replace ‘calculated total indicative dose” with “calculated indicative dose”.
c
In sub-paragraph (b) after “the specification,” add “
; or
”
d
After sub-paragraph (b) insert “
(c) contains levels of radon that are well below the specification,
”
.
e
For “shall notify the water undertaker that the total indicative dose parameter (item 9 in Schedule 2) or as the case may
be the tritium parameter (item 11 in that Schedule) need not be monitored” substitute, “
shall, by notice in writing, inform the water undertaker that the indicative dose parameter (item 10 in Schedule 2) or as
the case may be the radon parameter (item 8 in that Schedule) or the tritium parameter (item 12 in that Schedule), need not
be monitored and this decision and supporting evidence shall be communicated to the European Commission
”
.
6
After Regulation 6(7) insert—
7A
A representative survey must be designed in such a way—
a
as to be capable of determining the scale and nature of likely exposures to radon in water intended for human consumption originating from different types of groundwater sources and wells in different geological areas; and
b
that underlying parameters, especially the geology and hydrology of the area, radioactivity of rock or soil, and well type, can be identified and used to direct further action to areas of likely high exposure.
7
In Regulation 6(8)—
a
In sub-paragraph (a) replace “total indicative dose” with “
indicative dose
”
in both places.
b
After sub-paragraph (b), insert “
(c) withdraw a notice under paragraph (7) given in relation to the radon parameter if it believes that water supplied to the
zone in question for regulation 4(1) purposes contains levels of radon that are not well below the specification;
”
8
In Regulation 6(9) for “the total indicative dose parameter or, as the case may be, the tritium parameter” substitute “
the indicative dose parameter or, as the case may be, the radon parameter or the tritium parameter
”
.
9
In Regulation 8(1) for “25” substitute “
26
”
.
10
In Regulation 9(4)(b) for “25” substitute “
26
”
.
11
In Regulation 30–
a
In paragraph (1), omit the definitions for “the Directive”, “European technical approval” and “harmonised standard”;
b
In paragraph (3) – replace the reference to “the Directive,” with reference 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,
”
;
c
In paragraph (3) omit sub-paragraph (a).
d
In paragraph (3) sub-paragraph (b) becomes sub-paragraph (a).
12
For the table in Schedule 2 of the principal Regulations, substitute the table in Schedule 1.
13
For tables 1-3 in Schedule 3 of the principal Regulations, substitute tables 1-3 in Schedule 2.
14
After Schedule 4 of the principal Regulations, insert Schedule 5 as set out in Schedule 3.
Amendments to secondary Regulations3
1
In Regulation 1(2) omit the references to “the Directive”, “European technical approval” and “harmonised standard”.
2
In Regulation 4(2)–
a
In sub-paragraph (a) for “the Directive;” substitute “
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;
”
;
b
Omit sub-paragraph (b).
3
In Regulation 4(6)(a) for “European technical approval” substitute “
European Technical Assessment within the meaning of the Regulation mentioned in Regulation 4(2)(a)
”
.
Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department for Regional Development on 29th October 2015
SCHEDULE 1
Table in Schedule 2 of the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 (indicator parameters)
Item
Parameters
Specification concentration or Value (maximum unless otherwise stated) or State
Units of Measurement
Point of Monitoring
1
Ammonium
0.50
mgNH4/l
Consumers' taps
2
Chloride2
250
mgCl/l
Supply point1
3
Clostridium Perfringens (including spores)
0
Number/100ml
Supply point1
4
Coliform bacteria
0
Number/100ml
Consumers' taps
5
Colony counts
No abnormal change
Number/1ml at 22oC
Number/1ml at 37oC
Consumers' taps, service reservoirs and treatment works
6
Conductivity2
2500
µS/cm at 20 oC
Supply point1
7
Hydrogen ion2
9.5
6.5 (minimum)
pH value
Consumers' taps
8
Radon (for radioactivity)36
100
Bq/l
Supply point1
9
Sulphate 2
250
mgSO4/l
Supply point1
10
Indicative dose (for radioactivity)467
0.10
mSv
Supply point1
11
Total organic carbon (TOC)
No abnormal change
mgC/l
Supply point1
12
Tritium (for radioactivity)56
100
Bq/l
Supply point1
13
Turbidity
1
NTU
Treatment works
1 May be monitored from samples of water leaving treatment works or other supply point, as no significant change during distribution.
2 The water should not be aggressive.
3 Where radon concentrations exceed 1000Bq/l, remedial action shall be carried out on radiological protection grounds without further consideration.
4 Excluding tritium, potassium-40, radon, and radon decay products.
5 Elevated levels of tritium may indicate the presence of other artificial radionuclides. If the tritium concentration exceeds its parametric value, an analysis of the presence of other radionuclides shall be required.
6 Where treatment to reduce the level of radionuclides in water intended for human consumption has been taken, monitoring must be carried out to ensure the continued efficacy of the treatment.
7 If the gross alpha activity exceeds 0.1Bq/l or gross beta activity exceeds 1.0Bq/l analysis for specific radionuclides is required.
SCHEDULE 2
Tables 1-3 in Schedule 3 of the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007
Table 1:Parameters and circumstances for check monitoring
Item
Parameter
Circumstances
1
Aluminium
When used as a flocculant or where the water originates from, or is influenced by, surface waters.
2
Ammonium
3
Clostridium pefringens (including spores)
Where the water originates from, or is influenced by, surface waters.
4
Coliform bacteria
5
Colony Counts
6
Colour
7
Conductivity
8
Escherichia coli (E.coli)
9
Hydrogen ion
10
Indicative Dose
Where treatment to reduce the level of radionuclides in water intended for human consumption has been taken.
11
Iron
When used as a flocculant or where the water originates from, or is influenced by, surface waters.
12
Manganese
Where the water originates from, or is influenced by, surface waters.
13
Nitrate
When chloramination is practised
14
Nitrite
When chloramination is practised
15
Odour
16
Radon
Where treatment to reduce the level of radionuclides in water intended for human consumption has been taken.
17
Taste
18
Tritium
Where treatment to reduce the level of radionuclides in water intended for human consumption has been taken.
19
Turbidity
Note: This table sets out the annual sampling frequencies for all the substances and parameters in column 1. These are determined for each water supply zone according to its estimated population (column 2). The number of samples is either the standard number in column 4 or the reduced number in column 3 (if one is given). Regulation 9 provides for the circumstances in which the reduced number of samples may be taken.
Table 2Annual Sampling Frequencies: Water Supply Zones
(1)Substances and parameters subject to monitoring
(2)Estimated population of water supply zone
(3)Reduced
(4)Standard
Subject to check monitoring
E.coli
<100
4
Coliform bacteria
≥100
12 per 5,000 population2
Residual disinfectant
Aluminium
<100
1
2
Ammonium
100-4,999
2
4
Clostridium perfringens
(including spores)1
5,000-9,999
6
12
Colony Counts
10,000-29,999
12
24
Colour
30,000-49,999
18
36
Conductivity1
50,000-79,999
26
52
Hydrogen ion
80,000-100,000
38
76
Iron
Manganese
Nitrate3
Nitrite3
Odour
Taste
Turbidity
Subject to audit monitoring
Aluminium
<100
1
Antimony
100-4,999
4
Arsenic
5,000-100,000
8
Benzene1
Benzo(a)pyrene
Boron1
Bromate4
Cadmium
Chromium
Clostridium perfringens
(including spores)
Copper
Cyanide1
1,2, dichloroethane1
Enterococci
Fluoride1
Gross Alpha156
Gross Beta156
Iron
Lead
Manganese
Mercury1
Nickel
Nitrate3
Nitrite3
Pesticides and related products1
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
Radon1
Selenium
Sodium
Trichloroethene/ Tetrachloroethene1
Tetrachloromethane1
Trihalomethanes
Chloride1
Sulphate1
Total Organic carbon1
Tritium1
1 Sampling for these parameters may be within water supply zones or at supply points as specified in Table 3, subject to notes (ii) and below (iii) below.
2 Where the population is not an exact multiple of 5,000, the population figure should be rounded up to the nearest multiple of 5,000.
3 Check monitoring in water supply zones is required only where chloramination is practised. In other circumstances audit monitoring is required.
4 Audit monitoring in water supply zones is required only where sodium hypochlorite is added after water has left the treatment works. In other circumstances, audit monitoring is required at supply points.
5 To monitor for indicative dose (for radioactivity).
6 In the event that a single sample is taken in a year, a further sample should be taken if there is any change in relation to that supply that could affect the concentration of radionuclides in the water supply.
Note 1: Sampling is at treatment works for the substances and parameters shown in column (1) of Table 3 as items (1) to (6) and at supply points for the other substances and parameters, except nitrite subject to footnotes (ii) and (ii)(a) to the Table below.
Note 2: Table 3 sets out the annual sampling frequencies for all of the substances and parameters in column 2 at treatment works or supply points. The frequencies are determined according to the volume of water supplied at each treatment works or supply point (column 3). The number of samples is either the standard number in column 5 or the reduced number in column 4 (if one is given). Regulation 9 provides for the circumstances in which the reduced number of samples may be taken.
Table 3:Annual Sampling Frequencies: Treatment Works or Supply Points
(1)Item
(2)Substances and parameters
(3) Volume of water supplied m3/d
(4)Reduced
(5)Standard
1
E.coli
<20
-
4
2
Coliform bacteria
20-1,999
12
52
3
Colony counts
2,000-5,999
52
104
4
Nitrite2
6,000-11,999
104
208
5
Residual disinfectant
≥ 12,000
104
365
6
Turbidity
Subject to check monitoring
7
Clostridium perfringens1
<20
-
2
8
Conductivity
20-999
2
4
1,000-1,999
6
12
2,000-5,999
12
24
6,000-9,999
18
36
10,000-15,999
26
52
16,000-32,999
52
104
33,000-49,999
78
156
50,000-67,999
104
208
68,000-84,999
130
260
85,000-101,999
156
312
102,000-119,999
183
365
120,000-241,999
365
730
242,000-484,999
730
1,460
485,000-728,999
1,095
2,190
8A
Indicative Dose (for radioactivity)
<20
1
8B
Gross alpha5
20-999
4
8C
Gross beta5
1,000-49,999
8
8D
Radon
50,000-89,999
12
8E
Tritium
90,000-299,999
24
300,000-649,999
36
≥ 650,000
48
Subject to audit monitoring
9
Benzene
<20
1
10
Boron
20-999
4
11
Bromate4
1,000-49,999
8
11A
Clostridium perfringens (including spores)
50,000-89,999
12
12
Cyanide
90,000-299,999
24
13
1,2,dichloroethane
300,000-649,999
36
14
Fluoride
≥ 650,000
48
15
Mercury
16
Nitrite3
17
Pesticides and related products
18
Trichloroethene/
Tetrachloroethene
19
Tetrachloromethane
20
Chloride
21
Sulphate
22
Total Organic Carbon
22a
Radon
23
Tritium
24
Indicative Dose (for radioactivity)
25
Gross alpha5
26
Gross beta5
1 Check monitoring is required only in respect of surface waters (see regulation 6(2) and Table 1 in Schedule 3)
2 Sampling at treatment works when chloramination is practised.
3 Sampling at treatment works when chloramination is not practised.
4 Audit monitoring at supply points is required only where sodium hypochlorite is not added after water has left the treatment works. In other circumstances, audit monitoring is required in water supply zones.
5 To monitor for indicative dose (for radioactivity).
SCHEDULE 3
Where appropriate gross beta activity may be replaced by residual beta activity after subtraction of the K-40 activity concentration.
Schedule 5 Monitoring for indicative dose and analytical performance characteristics.
1
A water undertaker may use a screening strategy for gross alpha and gross beta to monitor for the parametric indicator value for indicative dose F8. The recommended screening value for gross alpha is 0.1Bq/l and for gross beta is 1.0Bq/l.
If the gross alpha activity is less than 0.1Bq/l and the gross beta activity is less than 1.0Bq/l it may be assumed that the indicative dose is less than 0.1mSv and radiological investigation is not needed, unless it is known from the other sources of information that specific radionuclides are present in water that are liable to cause an excess of 0.1mSv. Where the screening values are exceeded then additional radiological investigation is required.
The radionuclides to be measured must be based on all relevant information about likely sources of radioactivity.
2
Calculation of the ID
The ID must be calculated from the measured radionuclide concentrations and the dose coefficients laid down in Annex III, Table A of Directive 96/29/Euratom or more recent information recognised by the Department, on the basis of the annual intake of water (730l) for adults. Where the following formula is satisfied, it can be assumed that the ID is less than the parametric value of 0.1mSv and no further investigation is required.
where
Ci(obs) = observed concentration of radionuclide i
Ci(der) = derived concentration of radionuclide i
n = number of radionuclides detected.
Derived concentrations for radioactivity in water for human consumption1
Origin
Nuclide
Derived concentration
Natural
U-2382
3.0 Bq/l
U-2342
2.8 Bq/l
Ra-226
0.5 Bq/l
Ra-228
0.2 Bq/l
Pb-210
0.2 Bq/l
Po-210
0.1 Bq/l
Artificial
C-14
240 Bq/l
Sr-90
4.9 Bq/l
Pu-239/Pu-240
0.6 Bq/l
Am-241
0.7 Bq/l
Co-60
40 Bq/l
Cs-134
7.2 Bq/l
Cs-137
11 Bq/l
I-131
6.2 Bq/l
1 This table includes values for the most common natural and artificial radionuclides; these are precise values, calculated for a dose of 0.1mSV, an annual intake of 730 litre and using the dose coefficients laid down in Annex III Table A of Directive 96/29/Euratom; derived concentration for other radionuclides can be calculated on the same basis, and values can be updated on the basis of more recent information recognised by the competent authorities.
2 This table allows only for the radiological properties of uranium, not for its chemical toxicity.
3
Performance characteristics and method of analysis.
For the following parameters and radionuclides, the method of analysis used must, as a minimum be capable of measuring activity concentrations with a limit of detection specified below:
Parameters and radionuclides
Limit of detection 12
Tritium
10 Bq/l3
Radon
10 Bq/l3
gross alpha activity
0.04 Bq/l4
gross beta activity
0.4 Bq/l4
U-238
0.02 Bq/l
U-234
0.02 Bq/l
Ra-226
0.04 Bq/l
Ra-228
0.02 Bq/l5
Pb-210
0.02 Bq/l
Po-210
0.01 Bq/l
C-14
20 Bq/l
Sr-90
0.4 Bq/l
Pu-239/Pu-240
0.04 Bq/l
Am-241
0.06 Bq/l
Co-60
0.5 Bq/l
Cs-134
0.5 Bq/l
Cs-137
0.5 Bq/l
I-131
0.5 Bq/l
1 The limit of detection must be calculated according to the ISO standard 11929: Determination of the characteristic limits (decision threshold, detection limit, and limits of the confidence interval) for measurements of ionising radiation– Fundamentals and application, with probabilities of error of 1st and 2nd kind of 0.05 each
2 Measurement uncertainties must be calculated and reported as complete standard uncertainties or as expanded standard uncertainties with an expansion factor of 1.96 according to the ISO Guide for the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement.
3 The limit of detection for tritium and for radon is 10% of its parametric value of 100 Bq/l.
4 The limit of detection for gross alpha activity and gross beta activities are 40% of the screening values of 0.1 and 1.0 Bq/l respectively.
5 This limit of detection applies only to initial screening for ID for a new water source, if initial checking indicates that it is not plausible that Ra-228 exceeds 20% of the derived concentration, the limit of detection may be increased to 0.08 Bq/l for routine Ra-228 nuclide specific measurements until a subsequent re-check is required.
S.I. 2008 No. 301