Severn Trent Water Limited – AMP8 Lead Strategy
Water Industry Act 1991 (as amended) (“the Act”): Section 19(1)(b)
Reference: SVT-2023-00013
Acceptance Notice:
The Drinking Water Inspectorate, on behalf of the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
- Is satisfied that Severn Trent 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 23 April 2024 given a new undertaking under Section 19 (1) (b) of the Act, to take the following steps by the dates shown.
Steps to be taken:
4a. 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.
4b. Periodically 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.
4c(1). Replacement of company lead communication pipes when lead is detected at or above 5µg/l.
Date: 31 March 2030.
4c(2). Proactive lead risk investigations at up to 1000 schools or nurseries, with lead communication pipe replacements where required and provision of risk mitigation advice.
Date: 31 March 2030.
4c(3). Trial a means-tested grant scheme for consumer lead supply pipe replacement for up to 500 consumers.
Date: 31 March 2030.
4c(4). Conduct a phosphate disengagement trial, pending confirmation of Ofwat enhancement funding.
Date: 31 March 2030.
4c(5). Opportunistic lead communication pipe replacement during other network activities.
Date: 31 March 2030.
4c(6). Collaborate with Water UK and regulators to make positive progress on lead reduction and awareness as an industry.
Date: 31 March 2030.
4c(7). Continue the company’s free connection policy for customers who replace their lead supply pipe by replacing the communication pipe if it is lead.
Date: Ongoing for the duration of the Undertaking.
4c(8). Develop and submit the company’s draft Lead reduction plans for AMP9, demonstrating the proposed ramp-up pipe replacement rate.
Date: 31 July 2027.
Reporting:
4d. At regular intervals, provide the DWI with reports on progress made with carrying out the steps set out in 4c. Reports shall include at least the following details:
a) All data from the monitoring of treated water in he distribution systems named in the annex.
b) Details of the remedial steps that comprise the programme of work including commencement and completion dates for investigations, design, tendering, construction, and commissioning.
c) Current state of progress with the steps referred to in (b) above;
d) A statement of implications of any slippage of the programme and details of activities planned to bring programme back on target.
e) Whether the company has any other reason to believe it may not be able to meet any of the key dates set out in this Schedule of Work.
Date: Annually for the duration of the Undertaking. Reporting periods are Jan – Dec. Reports shall be submitted by 31 January each year that the undertaking is in place.
4e. Submit the company’s draft AMP9 lead reduction plans, as required in measure c(8).
Date: 31 August 2027.
4f. 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.
4g. Provide a final report to the Inspectorate on the efficacy of the steps taken as part of this undertaking. Include, as evidence of closure for this scheme, appropriate documentation to confirm that the actions set out in this Schedule of Work have been completed satisfactorily.
Date: 30 April 2031.
Further Details of this Acceptance Notice:
- The Secretary of State is satisfied that Severn Trent 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
25 April 2024
Reference: SVT-2023-00013