 Pollution issues
Water Quality in Wandsworth
Drinking water quality
The government has set standards for drinking water in the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations, and most of the standards derive from EC Directive 80/778/EEC on water quality, which member states are obliged to adopt. However, some UK standards are more stringent.
The standards relate to:
- Microbiological quality
- The levels of chemicals such as nitrates and pesticides
- The presence of metals such as lead
- The appearance and taste of water
A new Drinking Water Directive EC98/83, was adopted by the European Parliament on 4th December 1998, and replaces EC Directive 80/778/EEC. Each Member State must amend their respective drinking water regulations by 25th December 2000 and implement the revisions by 1st January 2003. In the UK this has been done through the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2000.
The Directive sets standards for drinking water standards generally in line with the 1993 World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines for drinking water quality. The most important change in the directive is the reduction from 50mg/l to 10mg/l in the maximum concentration of lead in drinking water. The change, which is in accordance with latest recommendations of WHO, is introduced primarily in order to protect infants, young children, and pregnant women from the neurotoxic effects that are known to contribute to IQ defects, learning and behavioural problems.
Regulation of water quality and the water industry
The Water Industry Act 1991 imposes a duty on water supply companies to "supply water which is wholesome at the time of supply", and the companies ensure that this obligation is met by the routine sampling of the water provided. In 2003, the water companies in England and Wales carried out approximately 2.9 million tests on drinking water samples of which 99.88% met the required standards. This was better than in 2002 and continues the trend of year on year improvement.
There are 4 agencies involved in water quality and the control of the water industry:
- The Water and Land Directorate of the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is responsible for all aspects of water policy in England. Further information is available at www.defra.gov.uk/environment/water/index.htm
- The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI), part of the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, is responsible for ensuring that drinking water supplies throughout the country meet the required standards. Inspectors carry out technical audits of all the water companies involving checks on water quality, sampling procedures, treatment processes and distribution systems. www.dwi.gov.uk
The Inspectorate has a wide range of leaflets about water quality which can be viewed online at www.dwi.gov.uk/consumer/index.htm, and many of these leaflets are also available from the Environmental Services Division at 78 Garratt Lane, SW18.
- The Office of Water Services (Ofwat), is an independent body responsible for the economic regulation of the water industry in England and Wales. You can find out more about them at www.ofwat.gov.uk
- The Environment Agency is responsible for maintaining or improving the quality of fresh, marine, surface and underground water in England and Wales. Its aim is to remove or reduce the risk of water pollution wherever possible, and to ensure that it gets cleaned up if any pollution occurs that might lead to effects on ecosystems or people. Find out more about the Agency's work, and information about local rivers at
www.environment-agency.gov.uk/subjects/waterquality/?lang=e
The role of local councils
The Water Industry Act 1991 also imposes a duty on every local authority "to take all such steps as they consider appropriate for keeping themselves informed about the wholesomeness and sufficiency of water supplies provided to premises in their area, including every private supply to any such premises". Most local authorities do this by the routine sampling of drinking water, and Wandsworth Council plays an active part in the London Wide Drinking Water Survey.
London wide drinking water survey
This survey is a sampling programme for drinking water quality across London, providing an extensive and independent analysis of drinking water quality. The survey enables the Council to assess whether the water quality information provided by the water companies is consistent with the results obtained from the survey. Wandsworth, along with other London Boroughs as well as Borough and District Councils around London, participates in this survey by taking monthly samples throughout the year for analysis by Severn Trent Laboratories.
Results from the 2003-2004 survey show that, overall, the general water quality appears to have been maintained. A total of 258 samples were taken from consumer taps in the London area. 99.86% of samples complied with the chemical quality standards and 99.56% of samples complied with the microbiological quality standards.
In the thirteen years that the survey has been conducted, there has been an initial trend showing generally a significant improvement in the percentage compliance. This percentage is now beginning to level off at between 99.8% and 99.9% compliance.
In the Wandsworth area, 28 samples were tested for the presence of 228 chemical and 35 microbiological parameters and achieved 100% compliance with the quality standards.
If you would like more information about the 2003/2004 survey please contact Mark Collins on 0208 871 8196 or mcollins@wandsworth.gov.uk
Wandsworth's water supply
Drinking water in the borough is supplied by Thames Water Utilities Ltd (TWU), the 3rd biggest water supply company in the world. TWU's web site at www.thames-water.com provides a great deal of information not just about the company but about water quality and supply issues also.
Who to contact if there is a problem with the water supply
Thames Water Customer Services (0845 9200 800) are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can also write to TWU at:
Thames Water Utilities Ltd
PO Box 436
Swindon
SN38 1TU
You can also contact us on 020 8871 6127, or email us at esd@wandsworth.gov.uk
Leisure water quality
In addition to sampling drinking water, we also monitor the results of water quality testing at swimming pools and spas in leisure centres within the borough for compliance with the relevant guidelines.
Water wise
- Having a bath uses up to 80 litres
- Having a shower uses up to 35 litres
- A washing machine uses up to 80 litres each wash cycle
- A dishwasher uses up to 35 litres each wash cycle
- Watering the garden with a sprinkler uses up to 1,020 litres/hour.
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