2015 No. 363

Water And Sewerage

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.

Annotations:
Amendments (Textual)
F3

S.I 2006/3336 (N.I.21)

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

Linda MacHugh A senior officer of the Department for Regional Development

SCHEDULE 1

Regulations 2(12)

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

Regulation 2(13)

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

Regulation 2(14)

Annotations:
Amendments (Textual)
F8

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.

i = 1 n C i ( o b s ) C i ( d e r ) 1 math

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.

(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.