This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
Drinking water up to standard
03/08/2005
Tests carried out by Scottish Water show that some 99.42
per cent of samples taken from customers' taps in 2004
passed the required standard while a significant number of
the 0.58 per cent that failed did so because of the
appearance of the water rather than failure to meet a
health-based standard.
The
Drinking Water
Quality in Scotland 2004 report is the first since
tighter standards were introduced through the Water Supply
(Water Quality) (Scotland) Regulations.
While the change in regulation means that direct
comparison with previous years is not possible, the figures
demonstrate a continuing high standard of drinking water in
Scotland.
Tim Hooton, Drinking Water Quality Regulator (DWQR),
said:
"Three years after the birth of Scottish Water, much
work has been undertaken to merge the systems and practices
of the three legacy Authorities. I have been encouraged by
many of the initiatives I have seen this year, and look
forward to seeing them bear fruit in years to come.
"The current investment programme continues apace and
assets are being upgraded across Scotland to meet modern
standards and improve compliance with the Regulations. Work
continues to finalise Scottish Water's capital investment
programme for the period 2006 - 2014, and it is hoped that
this will be reflected in greater compliance with drinking
water quality standards."
Drinking Water
Quality in Scotland 2004 contains a summary of the
results of 334,046 tests undertaken by Scottish Water on
samples from water treatment works, service reservoirs and
consumer taps.
These are presented for Scotland as a whole and by local
authority area. Comments by local authorities on these
results and their dealings with Scottish Water during 2004
also appear, together with details of water quality
incidents which occurred.
The report highlights:-
• Some facilities failed to cope adequately with the
severe rainfall in summer 2004
• The capital investment programme being developed for
2006 - 2014 will deliver further improvements in drinking
water quality compliance
• DWQR looks to Scottish Water to ensure that their
efficiency programme is delivered in a way that is
consistent with safeguarding public health
The DWQR monitors drinking water quality in Scotland for
Scottish Ministers. He operates independently of Ministers.
The role was created in 2002 with duties and powers to
obtain information, entry and enforcement set out in the
Water Industry (Scotland) Act 2002.