Hafren Dyfrdwy – AMP8 Lead Strategy

Water Industry Act 1991 (as amended) (“the Act”): Section 19(1)(b)

Reference: HDC-2023-00003

Acceptance Notice:

The Drinking Water Inspectorate, on behalf of the Welsh Ministers:

1. Is satisfied that Hafren Dyfrdwy “the Company” in supplying water from all company water zones 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”) 2018.
2. Has notified the Company on 8 November 2023 that the Welsh Ministers are considering making in relation to the company an enforcement order under Section 18 of the Act.
3. Notes that the Company has on 7 May 2024 given a new undertaking under Section 19 (1) (b) of the Act, to take the following steps by the dates shown.
4. Steps to be taken:
5. 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
6. 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
7. Measures to be delivered:
8. Target replacement of up to 800 lead communication pipes and supply pipes (where customer permission given and it meets the criteria of the company’s lead pipe replacement policy) for lead detections at or greater than 3µg/l
   Date: 31 March 2030
9. Replace lead communication and supply pipes at up to 7 schools or nurseries, where lead is identified, regardless of detected lead levels. (where customer permission given and it meets the criteria of the company’s lead pipe replacement policy).
   Date: 31 March 2030
10. Work in partnership with Wrexham Council and/or other selected social housing provider(s) with an ambition to replace lead communication and supply pipes protecting up to 432 properties. (where customer permission given and it meets the criteria of the company’s lead pipe replacement policy).
    Date: 31 March 2030
11. Develop and submit the company’s draft Lead reduction plans for AMP9, demonstrating the required ramp-up pipe replacement rate.
    Date: 31 August 2027
12. Reporting:

At regular intervals provide DWI with reports on progress made with carrying out the steps set out in 4 (7). Reports to include at least the following details:

1. All data from the monitoring of treated water in the distribution systems named in the annex.
2. Details of the remedial steps that comprise the programme of work including commencement and completion dates for investigations, design, tendering, construction, and commissioning.
3. Current state of progress with the steps referred to in (b) above;
4. A statement of implications of any slippage of the programme and details of activities planned to bring programme back on target.
5. 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: Reporting periods are Jan – Dec. Reports to be submitted by 31 January each year that the Undertaking is in place.
6. 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
7. Provide a final report to DWI on the efficacy of the remedial measures in accordance with 4 (7) taken as part of the lead strategy. Include as evidence for closure for this scheme appropriate documentation to confirm that the actions set out in this Schedule of Work have been taken and that the company’s lead strategy is in place. Date: 30 April 2031

Further Details of this Acceptance Notice:

1. The Welsh Ministers are satisfied that Hafren Dyfrdwy has given and is complying with an undertaking to take all such steps as appear to the Welsh Ministers 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) 2018.

Authorised by the Welsh Ministers to sign in that behalf

Nicholas Adjei
Deputy Chief Inspector, Drinking Water Inspectorate
15 May 2024
Reference: HDC-2023-00003