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Drinking water quality
16/09/2008
Scots are enjoying the highest quality of drinking water ever, according to a report published today.
The most important checks, on the microbiological quality of our drinking water, recorded the best results since regulations were introduced 17 years ago.
The annual report of the Drinking Water Quality Regulator (DWQR) into the quality of supplies for 2007 found over 99 per cent of all tests complied with strict regulatory standards.
More than 363,000 tests - almost 1,000 tests for every day of the year - were carried out. Of the 160,000 carried out on samples taken directly from taps in people's homes 99.76 per cent passed - an increase of 0.1 per cent on the previous year.
While the quality of supplies improved overall, the DWQR warned that the number of complaints received by Scottish Water from consumers remained unacceptably high. He also reminded local authorities of their responsibility in ensuring the quality of private water supplies, the standard of which can vary considerably.
The Drinking Water Quality Regulator, Colin McLaren, said:
"I am delighted that the 2007 results show tap water in Scotland is of the highest quality. Scottish Water has come a long way since it was formed in 2002.
"However, I was disappointed that in 2007 some consumers had to boil their drinking water after the bug Cryptosporidium was detected in their supply. Although these incidents occurred after exceptionally heavy rainfall, I expect Scottish Water to be able to treat water to the required standard in all conditions. This is clearly still not the case everywhere and Scottish Water must work harder to achieve this aim.
"I continue to monitor complaints and enquiries about water quality received by Scottish Water and in 2007 consumers called them nearly 27,000 times about a water quality issue.
"While this is an improvement on 2006, the number of times consumers were sufficiently concerned about water quality to pick up the telephone is still too high. I am keen to see this number reduced and intend to make sure that Scottish Water fully understands the impact of its operations on consumers.
"While the quality of public drinking water supplies in Scotland is very high, unfortunately the same cannot be said for private water supplies. Without doubt, the greatest risk to health from drinking water in Scotland comes from private supplies.
"Although only about three per cent of the population rely on a private water supply for their drinking water, many more of us use private supplies when travelling or on holiday. The quality of these supplies can vary considerably and it is the owners and users together with Local Authorities who are responsible for ensuring that they are assessed and improvements made where necessary. I look forward to continued progress in this area."
Drinking water quality regulation began in 1991 and drinking water quality was monitored by the Scottish Executive and its predecessor before the post of DWQR was created in 2002.
The Drinking Water Quality Regulator is independent of Scottish Ministers and ensures that the drinking water quality duties imposed on Scottish Water are complied with. DWQR reviews water quality data provided by Scottish Water and undertakes targeted audits examining all aspects of its operations. The Regulator also supervises local authority enforcement of the Private Water Supply Regulations. An annual report is presented to Scottish Ministers detailing the assessment of drinking water quality during the previous year.
Where drinking water does not meet the required standard, the Regulator has powers to investigate and ensure problems are resolved. This can involve taking enforcement action.
The DWQR also has a role in helping to define Scottish Water's Investment Programme. He is committed to ensuring that drinking water supplies in Scotland are of the highest possible standard.
In the summer of 2007, boil water notices were issued as a result of Cryptosporidium being detected in supplies serving the following areas: Langholm, Southdean (Borders), Blairnamarrow (Tomintoul), Rhynie (Aberdeenshire) , Ullapool, North Ronaldsay (Orkney) and Torrin (Skye).
Seventy per cent of the contacts received by Scottish Water concerning water quality were about discoloured supplies. These are usually caused by corrosion of iron water mains or failure of the treatment process to remove naturally occurring manganese. Approximately 9 per cent of calls concerned tastes and odours.
It is estimated that around 150,000 people rely on a private water supply for their drinking water, with many thousands more using them occasionally, typically on holiday. Many of these supplies have limited or no treatment. The main risk comes from microorganisms, including E.coli. Strengthened regulations governing the quality of private water supplies were introduced in 2006.