Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 1989

Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom (variant 1, 1952-2022)

Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 1989 were a set of legal regulations enacted in the United Kingdom to ensure the quality of water supply within the country. These regulations were pivotal in setting standards for the quality of drinking water to protect public health, reflecting the growing awareness and importance of environmental health standards during the late 20th century.

Overview

The Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 1989 laid down specific criteria that water suppliers had to meet to ensure the safety and quality of drinking water. These criteria covered a wide range of factors, including the concentration of microorganisms, chemicals, and metals in the water, as well as the taste, odor, and appearance of the water. The regulations were enforced by the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) in England and Wales, with equivalent bodies in Scotland and Northern Ireland responsible for enforcement in their respective regions.

Key Provisions

The regulations included several key provisions aimed at safeguarding drinking water quality:

• Standards for Water Quality: Specific limits were set for various substances and parameters in drinking water, including lead, pesticides, and bacteria.
• Monitoring and Testing: Water suppliers were required to carry out regular monitoring and testing of water supplies to ensure compliance with the standards.
• Reporting Requirements: Suppliers had to report the results of their water quality tests to the regulatory authorities, ensuring transparency and accountability.
• Action in Case of Non-Compliance: The regulations outlined steps that had to be taken if water quality failed to meet the required standards, including notifying the public and taking corrective action.

Impact

The introduction of the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 1989 marked a significant step forward in the regulation of drinking water quality in the UK. It led to improvements in water treatment processes and infrastructure, contributing to a reduction in the incidence of waterborne diseases and exposure to harmful substances through drinking water.

Subsequent Developments

The 1989 regulations have been amended and updated several times since their introduction to reflect advances in scientific understanding and water treatment technology. The most notable updates include the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2000 and the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2016 in England, with similar updates in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. These updates have introduced more stringent standards and expanded the scope of monitoring and reporting requirements to further protect public health.

See Also

• Drinking water quality standards
• Environmental law
• Public health