• Repetition of illness among seasonal workers at a fruit farm associated with mismanagement of the domestic and non-domestic water supply arrangements on the premises

  This case study relates to the water supply arrangements on a 200 acre fruit farm in England. There is a mains water supply to the premises, but there is also an irrigation system that can draw water from two other sources; a borehole and a river running alongside the boundary of the premises. During the […]

  • Ref: 2012/6
• Risk to a domestic water supply from another supply used for non- domestic purposes on a commercial premises

  A consumer called their water company in February to report that their tap water was cloudy and discoloured in appearance. The water company gave general advice about the causes of aeration and discolouration; however, a week later the consumer reported the problem again. When samples were collected two days later the water was cloudy, but […]

  • Ref: 2012/7
• Oil contamination of a private supply

  This case study relates to a former private estate, which has been redeveloped in recent times and now comprises 18 domestic dwellings and a church. The properties are owner occupied and collectively the owners are responsible for maintaining the communal part of the development such as the road and car park, and including the water […]

  • Ref: 2012/8
• Use of Environment Agency data to inform audit monitoring

  This small borehole supply is located in grazing land for dairy cattle and serves two domestic dwellings and a milking parlour. The supply is disinfected with chlorine before distribution to all the properties on the site The supply has a record of satisfactory microbiological results, although historically only a limited chemical analysis was carried out […]

  • Ref: 2011/04
• Effective application of the private supply regulations to benefit tourism and the local economy

  A scheduled compliance sample from a small commercial supply was reported as containing E.coli. The local authority issued boil water advice in a Regulation 18 Notice while they carried out a Regulations 15 investigation by bringing forward the Regulation 6 risk assessment of the supply. The private supply served four dwellings used as holiday lets. […]

  • Ref: 2011/03
• The need for a multi-barrier approach for a small surface water supply

  This case study relates to a small surface water supply serving two domestic dwellings, one of which is rented. The risk assessment identified that spring water is collected via an open pipe buried into the ground. Rabbit faeces were observed on the loose stones partially covering the collection chamber. The supply is distributed to the […]

  • Ref: 2011/02
• Best practice in relation to co-regulation of drinking water safety at premises by water companies and local authorities

  This case study relates to an estate serving approximately 30 consumers in a mixture of domestic and commercial premises including owner-occupied and rented property, offices and two food premises. The estate was included in the local water company’s compliance monitoring programme because some of the premises appeared on the company’s billing record. A random tap […]

  • Ref: 2011/05
• Lead in drinking water, the overlooked health risk in small domestic private supplies?

  This case study relates to a private supply that serves 13 dwellings, some of which are rented. Historically, the local authority collected a bacteriological sample every other year. These previous samples were positive for coliform bacteria and treatment of the supply had been recommended, but no action taken. The risk assessment under the new regulations […]

  • Ref: 2011/06
• Change of use of a private supply from a single domestic dwelling to a food premises

  This case study relates to a spring supply to a single domestic dwelling. The local authority received a request for advice about water quality from the owners of the property, which at that time was exempt from the monitoring requirements of the regulations. The local authority referred the owner to guidance on source protection available […]

  • Ref: 2011/07
• Consumer complaint of illness highlighting an inadequate approach to maintenance by the owner

  This case study relates to a small supply serving 11 domestic dwellings, five of which are rented. The source is a borehole surrounded by pastureland grazed by domestic livestock (sheep) and the supply is disinfected with chlorine. The local authority sampled from one of the properties after receiving a complaint from the tenant about the […]

  • Ref: 2011/10
• The implications of not establishing that a laboratory is accredited and using only an approved or authorised method of analysis

  This case study relates to a spring source, which provides the water supply to a food premises (cheese manufacturer). The supply is not treated. A planned sample, collected by the local authority, was reported as being positive for E.coli. As part of the investigation, the local authority reviewed the original risk assessment and noted that […]

  • Ref: 2011/11
• Prohibition of disconnection and securing the sufficiency of private supplies

  This case study relates to a relatively large supply serving five houses and a holiday park with more than 100 chalets. Ownership of the chalets is mixed; private individuals own some chalets, either as permanent homes or as commercial or holiday lets, other chalets are owned and let out by a holiday park company. Occupancy […]

  • Ref: 2011/12