Hartlepool Water supply around 90,000 customers in the Borough of Hartlepool and have a comprehensive monitoring programme to assess water quality of supplies for a range of chemical and microbiological parameters as it travels from the borehole sources, through the treatment and storage to customer taps. Together the results give us the ability to respond quickly to changes that may affect the quality of water supplied to our customers.
This monitoring programme is comprised of two independent components;
- based on sampling and laboratory analysis
- involves continuous monitoring at treatment works and other key sites
The sampling takes place throughout the year according to detailed procedures by highly trained and competent staff to ensure that we deliver safe and acceptable water supplies and our results of our testing are maintained on our Register of Water Quality. In addition we publish an Annual Report of our water quality performance each year before the end of June for the prior calendar year. Our postcode search function also allows you to view specific water quality reports for the area in which you live.
The Government has outlined strict regulations that must be followed to assess the quality of drinking water from where and how often samples are to be taken, and which analyses are to be performed. Compliance sampling is carried out as the water leaves the water treatment works to go into supply, from service reservoirs and from our customers' taps.
Hartlepool Water employs highly trained staff to carry out water sampling. They are easily recognisable by their Hartlepool Water or Northumbrian Water uniforms and their visible identification cards when they call on our customers to take a sample.
If there ever is any doubt about the identity of the sampler, customers are advised to telephone Hartlepool Water on 01429 858 050, as detailed in our beating bogus callers campaign.
Water quality and safety plan
Hartlepool Water provides high quality water meeting all the standards set out within the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2000 (as amended), the legally enforceable water quality standards set down in UK law.
The UK regulations also require us to have a water safety plan to protect the quality of drinking water as it travels from source to tap. This plan helps us to reduce the risks to the quality of your drinking water by ensuring that we carry out proper inspection, monitoring and maintenance of all our assets including boreholes, treatment works, storage reservoirs and water mains. The Plan also helps us to set out our investment needs to improve our assets.
We also offer advice on how you can protect water quality in your home and have available a leaflet called Looking After Water in Your Home.