What we do
The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) was formed in 1990 to provide independent reassurance that public water supplies in England and Wales are safe and drinking water quality is acceptable to consumers. We are a small organisation of 55 staff.
The main Drinking Water Inspectorate activities are as follows:
- Technical audit of water companies covering the operating practices of water companies;
- Assessment of water company sampling programmes and results;
- Assessment of incidents potentially affecting drinking water quality or sufficiency;
- Handling enquiries from the public;
- Investigation of consumer complaints about drinking water quality;
- Agreeing and managing water company programmes for improving drinking water quality including the Inspectorate’s input into Ofwat periodic review of water prices;
- Enforcement activities;
- Management of the Inspectorate’s scientific evidence and Defra’s water quality and health research programme;
- Management of Product approvals;
- Management of industry data;
- Oversight of Local Authority enforcement of regulations for Private water supplies.
