What we do
The Drinking Water Inspectorate (the Inspectorate) was formed in 1990 to provide independent reassurance that public water supplies in England and Wales are safe, and drinking water quality is acceptable to consumers. The Inspectorate’s aim is to ensure safe and secure drinking water in England and Wales. We are a small organisation of approximately 70 staff.
The Chief Inspector of Drinking Water is appointed by the Secretary of State and Welsh Ministers to exercise their functions in relation to drinking water quality. Relevant functions are set out in the Water Industry Act 1991 and The Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations of England and Wales.
The Inspectorate’s objectives are:
1. To protect public health through a continuous supply of wholesome drinking water.
2. To protect and improve drinking water quality in England and Wales and thereby maintain consumer confidence in drinking water.
3. To ensure effective regulation of drinking water supplies.
4. To promote long term planning for drinking water supplies.
5. To provide advice on national policy matters relating to drinking water quality, security and emergency planning, and supply.
The main activities of the Inspectorate are:
- To regulate the quality of public supplies and enforce The Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations in England and Wales through assessments of compliance data, water quality events, consumer complaints about the quality of supplies and company audits.
- To regulate the cyber security aspects of water supplies.
- To regulate the Security and Emergency Measures Direction in respect of water and sewerage.
- Provide advice and guidance to water suppliers on all aspects of drinking water supply, including publishing guidance to companies.
- Provide advice and support to local authorities on all aspects of drinking water quality, including private water supplies (those not supplied by a water company).
- Provide technical advice to ministers and officials on drinking water quality and supply issues, and on Parliamentary and other queries arising. This includes on the quality of private water supplies.
- Handling enquiries from the public and the media relating to drinking water quality. Note, customers should direct water quality complaints to their water company in the first instance.
- Working collaboratively with the other regulators in the water industry.
- Manage Defra’s Water Quality and Health research programme.
- Agreeing and managing water company programmes for improving drinking water quality including the Inspectorate’s input into the periodic review process.
- Manage product approvals under regulation 31 of The Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations.
In emergency situations, the Inspectorate’s role is to investigate the incident and gather evidence to support the investigation. The Inspectorate has powers to bring forward enforcement action or legal proceedings should there be sufficient evidence to do so, so it is not possible for the Inspectorate to comment on live investigations as this could compromise its ability to subsequently take forward a prosecution in the courts. The Inspectorate has duties under the Water Industry Act to advise the Defra Secretary of State and Welsh Government Minister, and this includes in emergency situations.
