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Private Water Supply Risk Assessment
The Private Water Supplies Regulations 2009 have been designed to provide improved health protection for consumers of private water supplies and consumers of food produced or prepared using private water supplies.
Local Authority Environmental Health departments are responsible for implementing the Regulations and for investigating into the cause of unwholesome supplies. They may serve notices to ensure remedial action is taken to restore the quality of the water to protect human health and they may prosecute in the event of a serious breach.
The Regulations require Local Authorities to complete a risk assessment of all private water supplies by January 2015. Supplies to single non-commercial dwellings are exempt (unless a risk assessment is requested).
Nemco are able to offer assistance direct to owners of private water supplies or to local authorities who may not have the expertise or resource to conduct the required risk assessments.
Furthermore, there are several areas of duplication between a legionella risk assessment and an assessment of a private water supply or private distribution network. Nemco are able to expand the scope of the legionella assessment to include provision for the Private Water Supplies Regulations, thus saving money and disruption as only one site visit is required.
A private water supply risk assessment would include:
- Description and location of the source supply and catchment area
- Details of extraction license limits and average consumption
- Information regarding the properties and people supplied
- Analysis of previous sample results
- Evaluation of the effectiveness of existing control measures and water treatment
- Inspection of intermediate, holding and header tanks
- Security at the source
- Assessment of potential for the supply to become contaminated at source or in the distribution network
The findings of the assessment would determine future sampling frequency and analysis requirements and there may be recommendations for remedial action to reduce the risk of contamination.
Private Water Distribution Network Risk Assessment
A private distribution network (PDN) is classified as a potable water network within the boundary of a private site – a ‘network’ being a water supply pipe that has rising mains in more than one building, and ‘wholesome water’ being that used for drinking, cooking and washing.
While further guidance is expected from the Drinking Water Inspectorate regarding the final format for the risk assessment, property owners and operators should be getting prepared as the assessments will be the responsibility of the duty holder.
Nemco are able to offer advice to clients regarding Private Water Distribution Network and the continuation of the quality of safe drinking water from the boundary of the site – which is the point at which the responsibility hands over from the water company to the site owner – to the end consumer.
The risk assessment would include:
- Description and location of the boundary and point of responsibility
- Information regarding pipe materials
- Details of the network and the consumers supplied
- Evaluation of the effectiveness of existing control measures and water treatment
- Inspection of header tanks
- Assessment of potential for the supply to become contaminated in the distribution network
As for Private Water Supply Assessments, there are several areas that overlap with legionella risk assessments and so Nemco are able to combine the inspections and pass on the resultant cost savings.
If you require further information, or would like a private water supply to be tested or assessed, please contact the Business Development Team on 0800 074 1237 or sales@nemco-utilities.co.uk.
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