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Notice of Regulation: Murton Treatment Works

Completion Date: TBC
Ref: NNE 3919

NOTICE UNDER REGULATION 28(4) OF THE WATER SUPPLY (WATER QUALITY) REGULATIONS 2016 (AS AMENDED)

Northumbrian Water Limited: Murton Treatment Works

Reference: NNE 3919

Water undertaker as appointed under section 6 of the Water Industry Act 1991 (as amended): Northumbrian Water Limited, with registered number 02366703 (hereinafter called ‘the Company’).

Assets affected:
Murton works – T0700336
Supplying Zone N232 Berwick – Z0021432

  1. The Drinking Water Inspectorate (‘the Inspectorate’) has received a regulation 28(1) report of the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2016 (as amended) (‘the Regulations’) from the Company dated 25 September 2015, 12 June 2017 and 17 July 2017, which states that there is or has been a significant risk of supplying water from Murton Treatment Works (and associated assets as applicable) that could be unwholesome.
  2. Consequently, this Notice is served on the Company by the Inspectorate on behalf of the Secretary of State, under regulation 28(4) for the assets listed above, for risks associated with:

Hazard

Hazard ID

Description of Risks

Turbidity

NNE_TRE_T0700336_A002A_HE166

Inability to meet Regulation 26 requirements

Residual Disinfectant – Free & Total

NNE_TRE_T0700336_C009_HE099

NNE_TRE_T0700336_C010_HE099

Failure to adequately disinfect

Hydrogen ion (pH)

NNE_TRE_T0700336_A006_HE091

Failure of treatment process- Final pH control

  1. The Company are required to satisfy the following:

Requirements

(a) to maintain the following measures for the period specified in each case:

The following existing measures will be maintained:
Date: Ongoing for the duration of this Notice

  1. Undertake pre-planned maintenance on works assets at specified frequencies.
  2. Operate filtration units in delayed start/slow start mode to reduce risk of sudden changes in water quality.
  3. Ensure online water quality monitors and alarms are linked to appropriate shutdowns and interventions.
  4. Ensure suitable alarms are in place and there is a sequential shutdown for should pH of treated water be detected outside of acceptable ranges.
  5. Operate run to waste at remote borehole and the Murton works during borehole startup or should sudden changes in turbidity be detected at values greater than that specified in works operating procedures.
  6. Undertake visual inspections and audits of the works and remote borehole sites at defined frequencies in company operational procedures.
  7. Ensure there is an operational uninterruptible power supply for works critical dosing and instrumentation.
  8. Ensure there is an operational diesel backup generator available to support works loads should a power outage occur.
  9. Undertake validation and calibration of equipment and instruments at company defined frequencies.
  10. Complete Co-ordination planning and risk assessment for any works which may have the potential to impact on water quality processes at Murton works.

(b) to review, revise or make operational the following measures, by the dates specified in each case:

  1. Review the site specific disinfection plan (SSDP) for Murton works and associated borehole sites to ensure that there is effective, robust disinfection in place appropriate to the characteristics of the raw water and that this can be appropriately monitored and verified. This should include a review of all monitors and sample points at the Murton and associated borehole sites to ensure the requirements of Regulation 26(2)b are being met. Where there are deficiencies in the SSDP or associated processes identified that require action to be taken; the company should put in place additional control measures until such as time that measure iii can be completed.
    Date: Completed
  2. Investigate, design, install and commission new treatment process to include appropriate treatment of the raw water to prepare it for disinfection and a new disinfection process to treat and be able to demonstrate effectiveness of disinfection of all raw water sources. The design of the new treatment process should ensure requirements of Regulation 26 are met at all stages of design, construction, installation and commissioning. All monitoring and sampling requirements for the new process should be designed and built to ensure Regulation 26(2)b can be demonstrated.
    Date: 30 November 2021
  3. Complete a review of all company groundwater sites to ensure that there is adequate, appropriate and effective monitoring for disinfection, pH and turbidity, to ensure compliance with Regulation 26 and that there are appropriate alarms and shutdown in place. Review and ensure site specific disinfection plans are appropriate and accurate.
    Date: Completed

(c) to audit whether the measures have been effective by the following means:

  1. Define an audit strategy to monitor the effectiveness of the measures specified in section (a) and (b).
    Date: Completed
  2. Implement, and keep under continuous review, the audit strategy defined in measure (c)1.
    Date: Following completion of measure (c)1. onwards

(d) not to supply water for regulation 4(1) purposes from Murton Treatment Works, or not to so supply unless the specified conditions below are satisfied:

  1. Not Applicable Not Applicable

(e) to provide the following information in the time and manner specified below to enable monitoring of progress towards the mitigation of the risks:

  1. Provide a progress report annually by 31 January and against the following milestones:
    Date: Annually by 31 January
    • On completion of Step (b)1
      Date: Completed
    • On completion of Step (b)3
      Date: Completed
    • Confirmation of the proposed works upgrade and timescales for completion (Step (b)2)
      Date: Completed
  2. Submit the strategy for auditing the effectiveness of the measures, as specified in (c)1.
    Date: Completed
  3. Submit any revisions of the audit strategy produced under measure (c)2.
    Date: Within 1 month of a revision
  4. Submit a report in the event that any completed measure of this Notice needs to be altered in any way for any reason.
    Date: Ongoing for the duration of this Notice
  5. Submit a satisfactory completion report accompanied by a revised regulation 28(1) report with Board level Director sign-off.
    Date: 31 December 2022
  1. Any product or substance used as a result of the requirements in this Notice must comply with regulation 31.
  2. Under regulation 28(6) the Inspectorate, on behalf of the Secretary of State, may by notice served on the Company, revoke or vary this Notice.
  3. Failure by the Company to comply with this Notice may result in enforcement proceedings under section 18 of the Water Industry Act 1991(as amended).

Signed
Laura Moss
Deputy Chief Inspector, on behalf of the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
15/04/2021
Reference: NNE 3919
Version 4