Drinking Water Inspectorate’s Measures (17/12/2020 – 16/12/2021)
The Drinking Water Inspectorate’s non-qualifying regulatory provisions (NQRPs) listed by exclusion category in the Business Impact Target (BIT) reporting period 17 December 2020 to 16 December 2021.
For the full legal definitions of the exclusion categories see BIT: June 2018 Statement.
1. Measures certified as being below de minimus
These are measures with an equivalent annual net direct cost to business of below (plus or minus) £5 million.
1.1 Summary of measures
We have published:
- A regulation 31 Mild Steel Letter on the arrangements of mild steel products used in boreholes in line with the requirements of regulation 31(4)(a) of the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2016 (as amended) (‘the Regulations’).
- A regulation 31 letter on resins used in water treatment.
- Information Letter 01/2021 – Reporting of treatment chemicals, service reservoir, contact tank, and final water storage tank information.
- Information Letter 02/2021 – An update to the Water Industry (Suppliers’ Information) Direction 2021 to allow for the provisions of Information Letter 01/2021.
- Information Letter 05/2021 – Requirements for PFAS monitoring.
We have withdrawn:
- The Covid-19 related Information Letters: IL 01/2020, IL 02/2020; IL 03/2020; IL 04/2020.
2. EU regulations and other international obligations
Following consideration of the exclusion category there are no measures for the reporting period that qualify for the exclusion.
3. Measures certified as concerning EU Withdrawal Bill operability measures
Following consideration of the exclusion category there are no measures for the reporting period that qualify for the exclusion.
4. Pro-competition
These are measures that are intended to deliver (or replicate) better competition-base outcomes in markets.
4.1 Summary of measures
We have revised:
5. Systemic financial risk
Following consideration of the exclusion category there are no measures for the reporting period that qualify for the exclusion.
6. Civil Emergencies
These are measures specifically relating to civil emergencies.
6.1 Summary of measures
We have published new policy:
- Network and Information Systems (NIS) Enforcement Policy outlining how the Inspectorate will comply with and enforce under the Network and Information Systems Regulations 2018.
7. Fines and penalties
Following consideration of the exclusion category there are no measures for the reporting period that qualify for the exclusion.
8. Misuse of drugs
Following consideration of the exclusion category there are no measures for the reporting period that qualify for the exclusion.
9. Measures certified as relating to the safety of tenants, residents and occupants in response to the Grenfell tragedy
Following consideration of the exclusion category there are no measures for the reporting period that qualify for the exclusion.
10. Casework
These are measures that relate to the Inspectorate’s regular casework.
10.1 Summary of the Inspectorate’s work (based on available data)
Regular casework completed by the Inspectorate this parliamentary session includes (this list is not exhaustive but represents the predominant casework areas for the Inspectorate):
- Event assessments
- Audits
- Compliance assessments
- Risk assessment reviews
- Prosecution assessments
- Regulation 31 approvals
- Regulation 28(4) notices
- Regulation 21(3) notices
- Regulation 17(3) notices
- Regulation 20(4) notices
- Regulation 9(4) notices
- Section 19 undertakings
- Section 18 provisional enforcement order
- Regulation 7 notices
- Radioactivity notices (regulation 6(12))
- Regulation 15 approvals
11. Education, communications and promotion
These include education, communications activities, and promotional campaigns by regulators.
11.1 Summary of measures
We have updated:
- The event notification portal.
- Consumer advice leaflets.
- Advice sheet 7 – Construction products for water company assets.
- Guidance on the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2016 (as amended) specific to PFOS and PFOA concentrations in drinking water.
We have published:
- Research report on long-term strategies to reduce lead exposure from drinking water.
- Chief Inspector’s report 2020 – Quarter 3: July – September 2020.
- Chief Inspector’s report 2020 – Quarter 4: October – December 2020.
- Drinking Water 2020: Summary of the Chief Inspector’s report for drinking water in England.
- Chief Inspector’s report 2021 – Quarter 1: January – March 2021.
- Information Letter 03/2021 – Radioactivity Notices (exemptions for monitoring) under the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2016 (as amended).
- Information Letter 04/2021 and Code of Practice on technical aspects of fluoridation of water supplies 2021.
- Guidance note on resilience of water supplies in water resource planning.
12. Activity related to policy development
There was one consultation to industry, including a briefing note, on the chemical and service reservoir data.
13. Changes to management of regulator
These are measures that relate to changes in the organisation and management of the Inspectorate that have not resulted from legislative changes or other policy changes.
13.1 Summary of measures
We have updated:
- DWI Liaison and cascade list for notifications.
- The internal structure of the Inspectorate.