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Bulk supplies from Thames Water, Severn Trent Water, Essex and Suffolk Water, Southern Water and Bristol Water

WATER INDUSTRY ACT 1991(AS AMENDED): SECTION 19(1)(b)

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOOD, AND RURAL AFFAIRS:

  1. is satisfied that Leep Networks Water “the Company” in supplying water from bulk supplies from Thames Water, Essex and Suffolk Water, Anglian Water (via Severn Trent Water), Severn Trent Water, Southern Water and Bristol Water 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).
  2. notes that Leep Networks Water has on 21 April 2020 given a new undertaking (DWI Ref No: LNW-2020-00001) under the provisions of paragraph 2(b) of the previous undertaking given in 2014 (DWI Ref no: SSE3393) to replace the undertaking and to take the following steps by the dates shown:

Steps to be taken

(a) Date: Ongoing for the duration of the undertaking

Ensure that metaldehyde has been assessed as a hazard as part of the regulation 28/29 Risk Assessment for the supply systems supplied by all Water Treatment Works (WTWs) listed in the Annex to this Schedule of Works, according to a Drinking Water Safety Plan approach.

(b) Short term measures: Date: Ongoing as necessary until metaldehyde is not used in the open environment

  1. Continue with the enhanced treated water monitoring programme to monitor water quality in the zones listed in the Annex to this Schedule of Works.
  2. Liaise regularly with the supplying companies on progress with the measures being taken to secure compliance with the Metaldehyde standard at the all Water Treatment Works (WTWs) listed in the Annex to this Schedule of Works.

(c) Date: Medium term measures:Ongoing until the revocation of this undertaking.

  1. 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.
  2. Liaise with the supplying companies where there are continued detections in treated water.
  3. Provide support as required to national, regional and local catchment management initiatives aiming to reduce the amounts reaching water sources.

(d) Date: Long term measures:Ongoing for the duration of the undertaking.

Continually appraise the risk of metaldehyde and the total pesticides parameters as hazards in raw waters as part of the regulation 27/28/29 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 28/29 documents are regularly reviewed and updates provided as appropriate.

(e) Reporting: 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)

Provide DWI with reports on progress with carrying out the steps set out in the undertaking.
Reports to include at least the following details:

  1. Metaldehyde monitoring data for the zones listed in the Annex to this schedule;
  2. A summary of activities carried out under steps (b) to (d) above;
  3. Details of contacts made with the supplying water companies concerning the actions that company is undertaking to address the risk of metaldehyde in the water supplied;
  4. Any other relevant information.

(f) Date: When there is sufficient evidence of suitable mitigation of the risk (i.e. 3 years samples below 0.1ug/l and evidence of stable or decreasing raw water trends) or by 31st March 2025

Provide a final report to DWI on the efficacy of the catchment solutions undertaken by the supplying companies and conclusions drawn from other work carried out. Include as evidence of 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.

  1. is satisfied that Leep Water Networks 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: LNW-2020-00001
02 May 2020

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