Wessex Water Services Limited – AMP8 Lead Strategy

Water Industry Act 1991 (as amended) (“the Act”): Section 19(1)(b)

Reference: WSX-2023-00004

The Drinking Water Inspectorate, on behalf of the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

Is satisfied that Wessex Water Services Limited “the Company” in supplying water from multiple assets which may be at risk of exceeding the standards for lead. This means that the Company is likely to contravene its duty in respect of supplying water which meets the Regulations under Section 68(1)(a) of the Water Industry Act 1991 and meets the requirement set in regulation 4(2)(c) of the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2016 (as amended).
Has notified the Company on 20 October 2023 that the Secretary of State is considering making in relation to the company an enforcement order under Section 18 of the Act.
Notes that the Company has on 3 April 2024 given a new undertaking under Section 19 (1) (b) of the Act, to take the following steps by the dates shown.

Ensure that the Lead parameter has been assessed as a hazard as part of the regulation 27 Risk Assessment for the supply system that includes the water supply zones listed in the Annex to this Schedule according to a Drinking Water Safety Plan approach. Ensure that regulation 28 documents are reviewed, and updates provided as necessary.
Date: Ongoing for the duration of the Undertaking.
Keep under review the company’s strategy for the protection of public health and for compliance with drinking water quality standards with respect to lead.
Date: Ongoing for the duration of the Undertaking.
1. Replacement of 6,000 company owned lead pipes across all supply systems operated by Wessex Water.
  Date: 31 March 2030.
2. Continue to offer replacement of consumer owned pipes to the point of entry into the building, subject to meeting specified criteria.
  Date: Ongoing for the duration of the Undertaking.
3. Introduce and operate a grant scheme for consumers to replace their pipes when they do not meet the criteria for replacement in measure c(2) subject to meeting further specified criteria.
  Date: Ongoing for the duration of the Undertaking.
4. Develop the company’s draft Lead reduction plans for AMP9, demonstrating the required ramp-up pipe replacement rate.
  Date: 31 July 2027.

Reporting:

At regular intervals provide DWI with reports on progress made with carrying out the steps set out in the Action Plan.
Date: Annually for the duration of the Undertaking. Reporting periods are Jan – Dec. Reports to be submitted by 31 January each year that the Undertaking is in place.
Submit the company’s draft AMP9 lead reduction plans, as required in measure c(4).
Date: 31 August 2027.
Continue to monitor at an enhanced frequency for Lead for the duration of this undertaking and for a period of 12 months after completion of the measures contained within this undertaking, to demonstrate the effectiveness of the remedial measures taken.
Date: 31 March 2031.
Provide a final report to DWI on the efficacy of the remedial measures taken as part of the lead strategy. Include as evidence for closure for this scheme appropriate documentation to confirm that the actions set out in this Schedule of Work have been taken and that the company’s lead strategy is in place.
Date: 30 April 2031

The Secretary of State is satisfied that Wessex Water Services Limited has given and is complying with an undertaking to take all such steps as appear to the Secretary of State for the time being to be appropriate to secure or facilitate compliance with the requirement of regulation 4(2)(c) of the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2016 (as amended).

Authorised by the Secretary of State to sign in that behalf.

Nicholas Adjei
Deputy Chief Inspector, Drinking Water Inspectorate
3 April 2024
Reference: WSX-2023-00004