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Current improvement programmes

Notice of Regulation: Huntington Water Treatment Works

Completion Date: TBC
Ref: UUT-2019-00003

THE WATER SUPPLY (WATER QUALITY) REGULATIONS 2016 (AS AMENDED)

NOTICE UNDER REGULATION 28(4)

United Utilities: Huntington Water Treatment Works Regulation 26 Improvements

Assets affected:

Huntington Water Treatment Works – T215

  • Y1503 – Halton DMZ
  • Y1507 – Liverpool DMZ
  • Y1516 – St Helens DMZ
  • Y1518 – Southport DMZ
  • Y1520 – Vale Royal DMZ
  • Y1521 – Warrington DMZ
  • Y1522 – Wigan DMZ
  • Y1523 – Wirral DMZ

DWI Reference: UUT-2019-00003

THE SECRETARY OF STATE:

  1. has received a report from United Utilities (the “Company”) dated 24 December 2018 (the “Report”) which states that there is or has been a significant risk of supplying water from Huntington Water Treatment Works (WTW) that could constitute a potential danger to human health and could be unwholesome.
  2. GIVES NOTICE to the Company under regulation 28(4) of the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2016 (as amended) that it must satisfy the following requirements:

For risks associated with:

  • E. coli
  • Coliform bacteria
  • Turbidity
  • Cryptosporidium
  • Manganese

Requirements

(a) to maintain the following measures for the period specified

Date: For the duration of the Notice for all measures listed 2(a) i-vi

  1. Operation of all processes within defined normal operating ranges with appropriate triggers, responses and contingency procedures.
  2. Critical control points in the treatment process are monitored, protected and actioned via telemetry alarms to the company’s Integrated Control Centre.
  3. WTW process operated to requirements of the company Site Specific Disinfection Policy.
  4. Compliance and operational data from the monitoring of Huntingdon WTW and associated water supply zones (WSZs) is reviewed as part of drinking water safety plan process.
  5. Monitor coliforms, E. coli, turbidity, pH, chlorine residuals as part of the operational and statutory sampling programme at the WTW final compliance point.
  6. The company will respond to all microbiological sample results that exceed regulatory standards and implement measures that protect public health within the requirements of the regulations.
  7. Ensure all treatment process stages contained within the Site Specific Disinfection Policy are not bypassed. Adequate risk assessment and company authorisation is required if bypass is demonstrably necessary.
  8. Should the second stage filters be bypassed, the company will carry out enhanced monitoring for Cryptosporidium, microbiological parameters, turbidity and manganese on the raw water, pre-contact tank and the final treated water.

(b) to review, revise and/or make operational the following measures, by the date specified below:

  1. Confirm programme of work required to enable shut down of Huntington WTW with run to waste facilities.
    Date: 31 January 2022
  2. Establish the baseline water quality performance for the Huntington works treatment processes based on the design criteria for the works, maximum flows and loading rates for each process. Put procedures in place to ensure that the works is operated within the established performance criteria, with appropriate validation, alarms and shutdown responses.
    Date: 31 March 2022
  3. Carry out a review of the site specific disinfection policy (SSDP) following the completion (b)2.
    Date: 31 May 2022
  4. Upgrade in line with current Company Engineering Standards the site SCADA system and where necessary update any associated telemetry outstations.
    Date: 31 August 2023
  5. Relocation of backwash turbidity monitors
    Date: Complete
  6. Install shutdown of flow at the point of disinfection and/or final water compliance point to minimise risk of inadequately treated water entering supply.
    Date: TBC on receipt of confirmation Step (b)1
  7. Install run to waste facilities for inadequately treated water or water not meeting the required standards for quality.
    Date: TBC on receipt of confirmation Step (b)1.
  8. Review and revise individual shutdown and start up to waste quality assurance procedures and ensure all site personnel are competent and confident in all aspects of the revised procedure and subsequent works operation.
    Date: TBC two months after completion of Step (b)6 and 7.

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

  1. Define a strategy for auditing the effectiveness of the measures made operational above.
    Date: Complete
  2. Implement the audit strategy outlined in (c)1 above.
    Date: For the duration of this Notice

(d) not to supply water for regulation 4(1) purposes from Huntington Water Treatment Works

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 risk of supplying water that would constitute a potential danger to human health:

  1. Provide a progress report annually by 31 January and against the following milestones:
    Date: Ongoing for duration of Notice
    • Confirmation of audit strategy defined in step (c)1.
      Date: Complete
    • Confirm programme of works defined in step (b)1.
      Date: 31 January 2022
    • Confirm completion and provide a report detailing outcome of measure (b)2 and provide revised SSDP in (b)3.
      Date: 30 June 2022
    • Confirmation completion of step (b)4.
      Date: 30 September 2023
    • Confirm completion of installation and that all relevant site procedures have been updated and all relevant staff trained in the new operational arrangements as required by steps (b)6-8.
      Date: TBC one month after completion of Step (b)6-8.
  2. Review the risk assessment for Huntingdon WTW as required by regulation 27(3) and subsequently submit a revised regulation 28 report accompanied by a signed board level declaration.
    Date: When required and by 2 months after completion of Step (b)6-8.
  3. Submit a satisfactory completion report.
    Date: TBC or 13 months after completion of Step (b)6 – 8.
  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 by authority of the Secretary of State
Nicholas Adjei
Deputy Chief Inspector
22 November 2021
DWI Reference: UUT-2019-00003
Version 3