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1. Introduction
2. Background
3. The New Directive
4. Content of Proposed Regulations
5. Regulatory Impact Assessment
6. Issues for Consultation
7. Responses
ANNEXES
A. The Directive
B. The New Regulations
C. The RIA
D. List of Consultees

The Water Supply (Water Quality) (Scotland) Regulations 2000

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ANNEX I

PARAMETERS AND PARAMETRIC VALUES

PART A

Microbiological Parameters

Parameter

Parametric value
(number/100 ml)

Escherichia coli (E. coli)

0

Enterococci

0

The following applies to water offered for sale in bottles or containers:

Parameter

Parametric value
(number/100 ml)

Escherichia coli (E. coli)

0/250 ml

Enterococci

0/250 ml

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

0/250 ml

Colony count 22oC

100/ml

Colony count 37oC

20/ml

 

PART B

Chemical Parameters

Parameter
Parametric value

Unit

Notes

Acrylamide

0.10

µg/l

Note 1

Antimony

5.0

µg/l

 

Arsenic

10

µg/l

 

Benzene

1.0

µg/l

 

Benzo(a)pyrene

0.010

µg/l

 

Boron

1.0

mg/l

 

Bromate

10

µg/l

Note2

Cadmium

5.0

µg/l

 

Chromium

50

µg/l

 

Copper

2.0

mg/l

Note 3

Cyanide

50

µg/l

 

1.2-dichloroethane

3.0

µg/l

 

Epichlorohydrin

0.10

µg/l

Note 1

Fluoride

1.5

mg/l

 

Lead

10

µg/l

Notes 3 and 4

Mercury

1.0

µg/l

 

Nickel

20

µg/l

Note 3

Nitrate

50

mg/l

Note 5

Nitrite

0.50

mg/l

Note 5

Pesticides

0.10

µg/l

Notes 6 and 7

Pesticides – Total

0.50

µg/l

Notes 6 and 8

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

0.10

µg/l

Sum of concentrations of specified compounds: Note 9

Selenium

10

µg/l

 

Tetrachloroethene and Trichloroethene

10

µg/l

Sum of concentrations of specified parameters

Trihalomethanes – Total

100

µg/l

Sum of concentrations of specified compounds: Note 10

Vynyl chloride

0.50

µg/l

Note 1

Note 1:
The parametric value refers to the residual monomer concentration in the water as calculated according to specifications of the maximum release from the corresponding polymer in contact with the water.

Note 2:
Where possible, without compromising disinfection, Member States should strive for a lower value.

For the water referred to in Article 6(1)(a), (b) and (d), the value must be met, at the latest, 10 calendar years after the entry into force of the Directive. The parametric value for bromate from five years after the entry into force of this Directive until 10 years after its entry into force is 25µg/l.

Note 3:
The value applies to a sample of water intended for human consumption obtained by an adequate sampling method (1) at the tap and taken so as to be representative of a weekly average value ingested by consumers. Where appropriate the sampling and monitoring methods must be applied in a harmonised fashion to be drawn up in accordance with Article 7(4). Member States must take account of the occurrence of peak levels that may cause adverse effects on human health.

Note 4:
For water referred to in Article 6(1)(a), (b) and (d), the value must be met, at the latest, 15 calendar years after the entry into force of this Directive. The parametric value for lead from five years after the entry into force of this Directive until 15 years after its entry into force is 25 µg/l.

Member States must ensure that all appropriate measures are taken to reduce the concentration of lead in water intended for human consumption as much as possible during the period needed to achieve compliance with the parametric value.

When implementing the measures to achieve compliance with that value Member States must progressively give priority where lead concentrations in water intended for human consumption are highest.

Note 5:
Member States must ensure that the condition that [nitrate]/50 + [nitrite]/3 £ 1, the square brackets signifying the concentrations in mg/l for nitrate (NO3) and nitrite (NO2) is complied with and that the value of 0.10 mg/l for nitrites is complied with ex water treatment works.

Note 6:
‘Pesticides’ means:

  • organic insecticides.
  • organic herbicides.
  • organic fungicides
  • organic nematocides.
  • organic acaricides.
  • organic algicides.
  • organic rodenticides
  • organic slimicides.
  • related products (inter alia. growth regulators).

And their relevant metabolites, degradation and reaction products.

Only those pesticides which are likely to be present in a given supply need be monitored.

Note 7:
The parametric value applies to each individual pesticide. In the case of aldrin, dieldrin, heptachlor and heptachlor epoxide the parametric value is 0.030 ug/l.

Note 8:
‘Pesticides – Total’ means the sum of all individual pesticides detected and quantified in the monitoring procedure.

Note 9:
The specified compounds are:

  • benzo(b)fluoranthene.
  • benzo(k)fluoranthene.
  • benzo(ghi)perylene.
  • indeno(1,2,3-cd)pryene.

Note 10:
Where possible, without compromising disinfection, Member States should strive for a lower value.

The specified compounds are chloroform, bromoform, dibromochloromethane bromodichloromethane.

For the water referred to in Article 6(1)(a), (b) and (d), the value must be met, at the latest, 10 calendar years after the entry into force of this Directive. The parametric value for total THMs from five years after the entry into force of this Directive until 10 years after its entry into force is 150 ug/l.

Member States must ensure that all appropriate measures are taken to reduce the concentration of THMs in water intended for human consumption as much as possible during the period needed to achieve compliance with the parametric value.

When implementing the measures to achieve this value, Member States must progressively give priority to those areas where THM concentrations in water intended for human consumption are highest.

PART C

Incidator parameters

 

Parameter

 

Parametric value

Unit

Notes

Aluminium

200

µg/l

 

Ammonium

0.50

mg/l

 

Chloride

250

mg/l

Note 1

Clostridium perfringens
(including spores)

0

Number/100 ml

Note 2

Colour

Acceptable to consumers and no abnormal change

 

 

Conductivity

2500

µS cm-1 at 20oC

Note 1

Hydrogen ion concentration

> 6.5 and < 9.5

pH units

Notes 1 and 3

Iron

200

µg/l

 

Manganese

50

µg/l

 

Odour

Acceptable to consumers and no abnormal change

 

 

Oxidisability

5.0

mg/l O2

Note 4

Sulphate

250

mg/l

Note 1

Sodium

200

mg/l

 

Taste

Acceptable to consumers and no abnormal change

 

 

Colony count 22o

No abnormal change

 

 

Coliform bacteria

0

Number/100 ml

Note 5

Total organic carbon (TOC)

No abnormal change

 

Note 6

Turbidity

Acceptable to consumers and no abnormal change

 

Note 7

 

RADIOACTIVITY

 

Parameter

 

Parametric value

Unit

Notes

Tritium

100

Bq/l

Notes 8 and 10

Total indicative dose

0.10

mSv/year

Notes 9 and 10

Note 1:
The water should not be aggressive.

Note 2:
This parameter need not be measured unless the water originates from or is influenced by surface water. In the event of non-compliance with this parametric value, the Member State concerned must investigate the supply to ensure that there is no potential danger to human health arising from the presence of pathogenic micro-organisms, e.g. cryptosporidium. Member States must include the results of all such investigations in the reports they must submit under Article 13(2).

Note 3:
For still water put into bottles or containers, the minimum value may be reduced to 4.5 pH units.

For water put into bottles or containers which is naturally rich in or artificially enriched with carbon dioxide, the minimum value may be lower.

Note 4:
This parameter need not be measured if the parameter TOC is analysed.

Note 5:
For water put into bottles or containers the unit is number/250 ml.

Note 6:
This parameter need not be measured for supplies of less than 10,000 m3 a day.

Note 7:
In the case of surface water treatment, Member States should strive for a parametric value not exceeding 1.0 NTU (nephelometric turbidity units) in the water ex treatment works.

Note 8:
Monitoring frequencies to be set later in Annex II.

Note 9: Excluding tritium, potassium -40, radon and radon decay products: monitoring frequencies, monitoring methods and the most relevant locations for monitoring to be set later in Annex II.

Note 10:
1. The proposals required by Note 8 on monitoring frequencies, and Note 9 on monitoring frequencies, monitoring methods and the most relevant locations for monitoring points in Annex II shall be adopted in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 12. When elaborating these proposals the Commission shall take into account inter alia the relevant provisions under existing legislation or appropriate monitoring programmes including monitoring results as derived from them. The Commission shall submit these proposals at the latest within 18 months following the date referred to in Article 18 of the Directive.

2. A Member State is not required to monitor drinking water for tritium or radioactivity to establish total indicative dose where it is satisfied that, on the basis of other monitoring carried out, the levels of tritium of the calculated total indicative dose are well below the parametric value. In that case, it shall communicate the grounds for its decision to the Commission, including the results of this other monitoring carried out.

 

ANNEX II

MONITORING

TABLE A

Parameters to be analysed

1. Check monitoring

The purpose of check monitoring is regularly to provide information on the organoleptic and microbiological quality of the water supplied for human consumption as well as information on the effectiveness of drinking-water treatment (particularly of disinfection) where it is used, in order to determine whether or not water intended for human consumption complies with the relevant parametric values laid down in this Directive.

The following parameters must be subject to check monitoring. Member States may add other parameters to this list if they deem it appropriate.

Aluminium (Note 1)
Ammonium
Colour
Conductivity
Clostridium perfringens (including spores) (Note 2)
Escherichia coli (E. coli)
Hydrogen ion concentration
Iron (Note 1)
Nitrite (Note 3)
Odour
Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Note 4)
Taste
Colony count 22 °C and 37 °C (Note 4)
Coliform bacteria
Turbidity

Note 1: Necessary only when used as flocculant (*).
Note 2: Necessary only if the water originates from or is influenced by surface water (*).
Note 3: Necessary only when chloramination is used as a disinfectant (*).
Note 4: Necessary only in the case of water offered for sale in bottles or containers.

2. Audit monitoring

The purpose of audit monitoring is to provide the information necessary to determine whether or not all of the Directive's parametric values are being complied with. All parameters set in accordance with Article 5(2) and (3) must be subject to audit monitoring unless it can be established by the competent authorities, for a period of time to be determined by them, that a parameter is not likely to be present in a given supply in concentrations which could lead to the risk of a breach of the relevant parametric value. This paragraph does not apply to the parameters for radioactivity, which, subject to Notes 8, 9 and 10 in Annex I, Part C, will be monitored in accordance with monitoring requirements adopted under Article 12.

TABLE B1

Minimum frequency of sampling and analyses for water intended for human consumption supplied from a distribution network or from a tanker or used in a food-production undertaking

Member States must take samples at the points of compliance as defined in Article 6(1) to ensure that water intended for human consumption meets the requirements of the Directive. However, in the case of a distribution network, a Member State may take samples within the supply zone or at the treatment works for particular parameters if it can be demonstrated that there would be no adverse change to the measured value of the parameters concerned.

Volume of water distributed or produced each day within a supply zone
(Notes 1 and 2)
m3

Check monitoring number of samples per year
(Notes 3, 4 and 5)

Audit monitoring number of samples per year
(Notes 3 and 5)

< 100

(Note 6)

(Note 6)

> 100 < 1,000

4

1

> 1,000 < 10,000

4

+ 3 for each 1,000 m3/d and part thereof of the total volume

1
+ 1 for each 3,300 m3/d and part thereof of the total volume

> 10,000 < 100,000

3
+ 1 for each 10,000 m3/d and part thereof of the total volume

> 100,000

10
+ 1 for each 25,000 m3/d and part thereof of the total volume

Note 1:
A supply zone is a geographically defined area within which water intended for human consumption comes from one or more sources and within which water quality may be considered as being approximately uniform.

Note 2:
The volumes are calculated as averages taken over a calendar year. A Member State may use the number of inhabitants in a supply zone instead of the volume of water to determine the minimum frequency, assuming a water consumption of 200 l/day/capita.

Note 3
In the event of intermittent short-term supply the monitoring frequency of water distributed by tankers is to be decided by the Member State concerned.

Note 4:
For the different parameters in Annex I, a Member State may reduce the number of samples specified in the table if:

(a) the values of the results obtained from samples taken during a period of at least two successive years are constant and significantly better than the limits laid down in Annex I, and

(b) no factor is likely to cause a deterioration of the quality of the water.

The lowest frequency applied must not be less than 50 % of the number of samples specified in the table except in the particular case of note 6.

Note 5:
As far as possible, the number of samples should be distributed equally in time and location.

Note 6:
The frequency is to be decided by the Member State concerned.

TABLE B2

Minimum frequency of sampling and analysis for water put into bottles or containers intended for sale

Volume of water produced for offering for sale in bottles of containers each day (1)
m3

Check monitoring number of samples
per year

Audit monitoring number of samples
per year

< 10

1

1

> 10 < 60

12

1

> 60

1 for each 5 m3 and part thereof of the total volume

1 for each 100 m3 and part thereof of the total volume

(1) The volumes are calculated as averages taken over a calendar year.

 

ANNEX III

SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE ANALYSIS OF PARAMETERS

Each Member State must ensure that any laboratory at which samples are analysed has a system of analytical quality control that is subject from time to time to checking by a person who is not under the control of the laboratory and who is approved by the competent authority for that purpose.

1. PARAMETERS FOR WHICH METHODS OF ANALYSIS ARE SPECIFIED

The following principles for methods of microbiological parameters are given either for reference whenever a CEN/ISO method is given or for guidance, pending the possible future adoption, in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 12, of further CEN/ISO international methods for these parameters. Member States may use alternative methods, providing the provisions of Article 7(5) are met.

Coliform bacteria and Escherichia coli (E. coli) (ISO 9308-1)

Enterococci (ISO 7899-2)

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (prEN ISO 12780)

Enumeration of culturable microorganisms - Colony count 22 °C (prEN ISO 6222)

Enumeration of culturable microorganisms - Colony count 37 °C (prEN ISO 6222)

Clostridium perfringens (including spores)

Membrane filtration followed by anaerobic incubation of the membrane on m-CP agar (Note 1) at 44 ± 1 °C for 21 ± 3 hours. Count opaque yellow colonies that turn pink or red after exposure to ammonium hydroxide vapours for 20 to 30 seconds.

Note 1: The composition of m-CP agar is:

Basal medium

 

 

Tryptose

30g

Yeast extract

20g

Sucrose

5g

L.cysteine hydrochloride

1g

MgSO4 - 7H2O

0.1g

Bromocresol purple

40mg

Agar

15g

Water

1,000ml

 

Dissolve the ingredients of the basal medium, adjust pH to 7.6 and autoclave at 121 °C for 15 minutes. Allow the medium to cool and add:

D-cycloserine

400mg

Polymyxine-B sulphate

25mg

Indoxyl-b -D-glucoside

60mg

to be dissolved in 8 ml sterile water before addition

 

Filter – sterilised 0.5% phenolphthalein

20ml

diphosphate solution

 

Filter – sterilised 4.5% FeCl3 - 6H2O

2ml

2. PARAMETERS FOR WHICH PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS ARE SPECIFIED

2.1. For the following parameters, the specified performance characteristics are that the method of analysis used must, as a minimum, be capable of measuring concentrations equal to the parametric value with a trueness, precision and limit of detection specified. Whatever the sensitivity of the method of analysis used, the result must be expressed using at least the same number of decimals as for the parametric value considered in Annex I, Parts B and C.

Parameters

Trueness % of
Parametric value
(Note 1)

Precision % of
Parametric value
(Note 2)

Limit of
Detection % of
Parametric value
(Note 3)

Conditions

Notes

Acrylamide

 

 

 

To be controlled by product specification

 

Aluminium

10

10

10

 

 

Ammonium

10

10

10

 

 

Antimony

25

25

25

 

 

Arsenic

10

10

10

 

 

Benzo(a)pyrene

25

25

25

 

 

Benzene

25

25

25

 

 

Boron

10

10

10

 

 

Bromate

25

25

25

 

 

Cadmium

10

10

10

 

 

Chloride

10

10

10

 

 

Chromium

10

10

10

 

 

Conductivity

10

10

10

 

 

Copper

10

10

10

 

 

Cyanide

10

10

10

 

Note 4

1.2-dichloroethane

25

25

10

 

 

Epichlorophydrin

 

 

 

To be controlled by product specification

 

Fluoride

10

10

10

 

 

Iron

10

10

10

 

 

Lead

10

10

10

 

 

Manganese

10

10

10

 

 

Mercury

20

10

20

 

 

Nickel

10

10

10

 

 

Nitrate

10

10

10

 

 

Nitrite

10

10

10

 

 

Oxidisability

25

25

10

 

Note 5

Pesticides

25

25

25

 

Note 6

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

25

25

25

 

Note 7

Selenium

10

10

10

 

 

Sodium

10

10

10

 

 

Sulphate

10

10

10

 

 

Tetrachloroethene

25

25

10

 

Note 8

Trichloroethene

25

25

10

 

Note 8

Trihalomethanes - Total

25

25

10

 

Note 7

Vinyl chloride

 

 

 

To be controlled by product specification

 

2.2. For hydrogen ion concentration the specified performance characteristics are that the method of analysis used must be capable of measuring concentrations equal to the parametric value with a trueness of 0.2 pH unit and a precision of 0.2 pH unit.

Note 1 (*):
Trueness is the systematic error and is the difference between the mean value of the large number of repeated measurements and the true value.

Note 2 (*):
Precision is the random error and is usually expressed as the standard deviation (within and between batch) of the spread of results about the mean. Acceptable precision is twice the relative standard deviation.

______________________________________
(*) These terms are further defined in ISO 5725

Note 3:
Limit of detection is either:

- three times the relative within batch standard deviation of a natural sample containing a low concentration of the parameter,

or

- five times the relative within batch standard deviation of a blank sample.

Note 4:
The method should determine total cyanide in all forms.

Note 5:
Oxidation should be carried out for 10 minutes at 100 °C under acid conditions using permanganate.

Note 6:
The performance characteristics apply to each individual pesticide and will depend on the pesticide concerned. The limit of detection may not be achievable for all pesticides at present, but Member States should strive to achieve this standard.

Note 7:
The performance characteristics apply to the individual substances specified at 25 % of the parametric value in Annex I.

Note 8:
The performance characteristics apply to the individual substances specified at 50 % of the parametric value in Annex I.

3. PARAMETERS FOR WHICH NO METHOD OF ANALYSIS IS SPECIFIED

Colour
Odour
Taste
Total organic carbon
Turbidity (Note 1)

Note 1: For turbidity monitoring in treated surface water the specified performance characteristics are that the method of analysis used must, as a minimum, be capable of measuring concentrations equal to the parametric value with a trueness of 25 %, precision of 25 % and a 25 % limit of detection.

 

ANNEX IV

DEADLINES FOR TRANSPOSITION INTO NATIONAL LAW AND FOR APPLICATION

Directive 80/778/EEC

Transposition 17.7.1982

Application 17.7.1985

All Member States except Spain, Portugal and new Lander of Germany

Directive 81/858/EEC

(Adaptation due to accession of Greece)

Act of Accession of Spain and Portugal

Spain:
transposition 1.1.1986
application 1.1.1986

Portugal:
transposition 1.1.1986
application 1.1.1989

Directive 90/656/EEC for new Lander of Germany

Act of Accession of Austria, Finland and Sweden

Austria:
transposition 1.1.1995
application 1.1.1995

Finland:
transposition 1.1.1995
application 1.1.1995

Sweden:
transposition 1.1.1995
application 1.1.1995

Directive

91/692/EEC

Articles 1 to 14

 

 

Application 31.12.1995

 

 

Article 15

Amended with effect from 1.1.1981

Amended with effect from 1.1.1986

 

Amended with effect from 1.1.1995

 

Article 16

 

 

 

 

 

Article 17

 

 

 

 

Article 17(a) inserted

Article 18

 

 

 

 

 

Article 19

 

Amended

Amended

 

 

Article 20

 

 

 

 

 

Article 21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ANNEX V

CORRELATION TABLE

This Directive

Directive 80/778/EEC

Article 1(1)

Article 1(1)

Article 1(2)

-

Article 2(1)
(a) and (b)

Article 2

Article 2(2)

-

Article 3(1)
(a) and (b)

Article 4(1)

Article 3(2)
(a) and (b)

-

Article 3(3)

-

Article 4(1)

Article 7(6)

Article 4(2)

Article 11

Article 5(1)

Article 7(1)

Article 5(2) first sentence

Article 7(3)

Article 5(2) second sentence

-

Article 5(3)

-

Article 6.1

Article 12(2)

Article 6(2) to (3)

-

Article 7(1)

Article 12(1)

Article 7(2)

-

Article 7(3)

Article 12(3)

Article 7(4)

-

Article 7(5)

Article 12(5)

Article 7(6)

-

Article 8

-

Article 9(1)

Article 9(1) and Article 10(1)

Article 9(2) to (6)

-

Article 9(7)

Article 9(2) and Article 10(3)

Article 9(8)

-

Article 10

Article 8

Article 11(1)

-

Article 11(2)

Article 13

Article 12(1)

Article 14

Article 12(2) and (3)

Article 15

Article 13(1)

-

Article 13(2) to (5)

Article 17(a) (inserted by Directive 91/692/EEC)

Article 14

Article 19

Article 15

Article 20

Article 16

-

Article 17

Article 18

Article 18

-

Article 19

Article 21

 

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