Undertakings: Thames Water – multiple sites
WATER INDUSTRY ACT 1991 (AS AMENDED): SECTION 19(1)(b)
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOOD, AND RURAL AFFAIRS:
- is satisfied that Thames Water Utilities Plc “the Company” in supplying water from the COPPERMILLS, CHINGFORD SOUTH, FARMOOR, SWINFORD, FOBNEY, HORNSEY, SHALFORD, WALTON, HAMPTON, ASHFORD AND KEMPTON) WATER TREATMENT WORKS which may be at risk of exceeding the standards for metaldehyde and total pesticides. 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 (as amended) and meets the requirement set in regulation 4(2)(c) of the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2016 (as amended).
- notes that Thames Water Utilities Plc has on 30 March 2020 given a new undertaking (DWI Ref No: TMS-2019-00002) under the provisions of paragraph 2(b) of the previous undertakings given on 4 July 2014 (DWI Ref no: TMS3310) to replace the undertaking and take the following steps by the dates shown:
Steps to be taken
(a)
Ensure that metaldehyde has been assessed as a hazard as part of the regulation 27 Risk Assessment for the supply systems supplied by all Water Treatment Works (WTWs) listed in the Annex A to this Schedule of Works, according to a Drinking Water Safety Plan approach.
Date: Ongoing
(b)
- Companies shall implement all actions as defined in their actions plans submitted to the Inspectorate on 16 September 2014.
Date: Ongoing as necessary whilst metaldehyde can be used in the open environment - Companies shall implement additional transitional arrangements whilst metaldehyde can be used in the open environment, ensuring the maintenance of supportive relationships with the farming community.
Date: Ongoing as necessary whilst metaldehyde can be used in the open environment
(c) Medium term measures
- Continue with enhanced raw water monitoring programme as appropriate whilst metaldehyde remains in use in the open environment, after which a reduction in monitoring in sub catchments may occur on a risk basis; monitoring at abstraction points will continue at enhanced frequency.
Date: Ongoing until the revocation of this undertaking. - Where ongoing significant risks are identified the company shall continue the DWSP approach and appropriate measures to mitigate the risk shall continue to be implemented.
Date: Ongoing until the revocation of this undertaking. - Liaise with the Environment Agency as appropriate where there are continued detections in raw water.
Date: Ongoing until the revocation of this undertaking.
(d) Long term measures:
Continually appraise the risk of metaldehyde and the total pesticides parameters as hazards in raw waters as part of the regulation 27 Risk Assessment for the supply system(s) associated with each relevant treatment works according to a Drinking Water Safety Plan approach, and ensure that Regulation 28 documents are regularly reviewed and updates provided as appropriate.
Date: Ongoing
(e) Reporting: Provide DWI with reports on progress with carrying out the steps set out in the undertaking
Date: Annually for the duration of the Undertaking. Reporting periods are Jan – Dec. Reports to be submitted by 31 Jan each year that the Undertaking is in place, (except for Jan 2025)
Reports to include at least the following details:
- Metaldehyde monitoring data for the raw and final water at the WTWs listed in the Annex including trend analysis;
- Current state of progress with the catchment measures;
- Current state of progress with operational controls and summary of effectiveness. This will consist of abstraction management and reservoir management, where required.
(f)
Provide a final report to DWI on the efficacy of the catchment solutions and the conclusions drawn from other work carried out as part of this Undertaking.
Include, as evidence for closure for this scheme, appropriate documentation to confirm that the actions set out in this schedule of work have been completed and the extent to which the required outcomes have been achieved.
Date: When there is sufficient evidence of suitable mitigation of the risk (i.e. 3 years of treated water samples below 0.1ug/l and evidence of stable or decreasing raw water trends) or by 31st March 2025
- is satisfied that Thames Water Utilities Plc 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:
Milo Purcell
Deputy Chief Inspector
Drinking Water Inspectorate
DWI Ref No: TMS-2019-00002
Date 31 March 2020