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

United Utilities Water Limited – AMP8 Lead Strategy

Reference: UUT-2023-00011

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

Is satisfied that United Utilities Water 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) (“the Regulations”).
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 25 March 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.
Continue a grant scheme to contribute to consumer pipe replacements.
Date: Ongoing for the duration of the Undertaking.
Proactive replacement of customer side lead supply pipes (including those where grant has been allocated). The target number of replacements that we have proposed to Ofwat in our AMP8 business plan is 30,000.
Date: 31 March 2030.
Conduct lead communication pipe replacement when lead is detected at or above 5µg/l.
Date: Ongoing for the duration of the Undertaking.
Continue with risk-based approach to plumbosolvency control across the water supply zones.
Date: Ongoing for the duration of the Undertaking.
Develop the company’s draft Lead reduction plans for AMP9, demonstrating the required ramp-up pipe replacement rate.
Date: 31 July 2027.

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.
Submit the company’s draft AMP9 lead reduction plans, as required in measure c(6).
Date: 31 August 2027.
Continue to monitor at an enhanced frequency for Lead for a period of 12 months following commissioning of any work associated with the Action Plan 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 United Utilities Water 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
4 April 2024
Reference: UUT-2023-00011