Drinking water quality in England and Wales is regulated by the government through the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI). The Inspectorate was set up in 1989 after the water industry was privatised to operate as an independent body with staff experienced in all aspect of water supply.
The main role of the Government's Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) is to check that the water companies in England and Wales supply water that is safe to drink and meets the standards set in the Water Quality Regulations. DWI inspectors carry out technical audits of each water company. These have two main parts:
- an annual assessment of the quality of drinking water supplied by the companies
- inspections of the individual companies
The assessment of water quality is based on information received regularly from the water companies. This information includes the results of the millions of tests made each year to see if the water meets the standards. We check the test results against the standards. We also carry out inspections to be sure that the results are reliable and give a true picture of the quality of the water supplied.
If the DWI considers a company is not meeting the necessary standard, it may recommend to the Secretary of State that enforcement action is taken. This requires a company to take corrective action.
In June each year the Chief Inspector of the DWI publishes a detailed report containing drinking water quality data for each company and the results the technical inspections for each water company and the results of the DWI's technical inspections known as 'Drinking Water'. This report, other information and details of technical audits carried out on Hartlepool Water and drinking water quality, are available on the DWI website.
For further information please contact us.