What's New?
The DWQR has been incorporated into the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA). This is with effect from 13 October 2008. Regulation 23 of the Act stipulates that the DWQR is required to publish and maintain a publication scheme. This publication scheme provides details of what the DWQR has published and will publish in the future. A dedicated area for FOISA has been added to the website. This can be accessed using the Freedom of Information tab on the left of the page.
Section 10 of the Water Industry (Scotland) Act 2002 provides powers for the DWQR to serve an enforcement notice on Scottish Water if it is believed that Scottish Water has contravened the Water Supply (Water Quality) (Scotland) Regulations 2001. The DWQR has served a notice in respect of the water supplied by Loch Eck water treatment works which serves Dunoon and the surrounding area. Full details of the enforcement notice can be found on the Enforcement & Legal & Action section of the website.
The DWQR has agreed to publish letters in respect of private water supplies on his website. These letters set out the recommended approach for monitoring private water supplies to milking parlours. A dedicated area for Private Water Supplies has been added to the website. This can be accessed using the Private Water Supplies tab on the left of the page.
Water Regulator for Scotland
The role of Drinking Water Quality Regulator for Scotland was established in the Water Industry Act 2002 to provide an independent check that Scottish Water is complying with the drinking water quality regulations. To allow him to carry out his functions, the 2002 Actprovides him with extensive powers to: acquire information, conduct investigations and take enforcement action should this prove necessary.The primary purpose of the regulations is to protect public health and although the regulatory standards are set at precautionary levels, any breach of the standards is taken very seriously.
As well as checking compliance with the strict regulatory requirements I routinely audit Scottish Water's laboratories and water treatment works. The purpose of these audits is to ensure that Scottish Water is complying with best practice in terms of policies and procedures.Water can become contaminated at any stage of the collection, treatment and distribution process. I therefore look at water supplies from source to tap. Potential sources of drinking water quality failures are: the misuse of agricultural chemicals, treatment plant failures, ingress into the distribution system and ageing water mains.
Customers are very aware of the aesthetic quality of the water they get from their taps and I believe that this will be the thrust of future improvements. Currently, many of the standards that must be met relate to parameters that cannot be detected by consumers, but which nonetheless are important for health in terms of long term exposure. It is very important however, that as well as being safe to drink, tap water must be pleasant to drink and well regarded as a product for consumption.
This website contains many documents that explain the range of activities of the regulator in greater detail. If you wish further information or would like to comment on drinking water quality in Scotland please email me at regulator@dwqr.org.uk
COLIN McLAREN
Drinking Water Quality Regulator for Scotland