Citation, commencement and interpretation

1.—(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Water Quality (Scotland) Regulations 2010 and come into force on 20th April 2010.

(2) In these Regulations—

“the 1980 Act” means the Water (Scotland) Act 1980(3);

“the 2001 Regulations” means the Water Supply (Water Quality) (Scotland) Regulations 2001(4); and

“the 2006 Regulations” means the Private Water Supplies (Scotland) Regulations 2006(5).

Amendment of the Water (Scotland) Act 1980

2.  After section 76F of the 1980 Act (general functions of local authorities in relation to water quality), insert—

“Domestic distribution failures where water is supplied to the public

76FA.—(1) A local authority must immediately investigate to determine the cause of a “relevant water quality issue”, being an issue relating to water quality which—

(a)affects premises where water is supplied to the public (such as schools, hospitals and restaurants) within the area of the local authority;

(b)is attributable to the domestic distribution system (within the meaning of Article 2.2 of Council Directive 98/83/EC on the quality of water intended for human consumption) of those premises, or to the maintenance of that system; and

(c)requires, or would require, notification to the Scottish Ministers under—

(i)regulation 17(5) of the Water Supply (Water Quality) (Scotland) Regulations 2001 (SSI 2001/207);

(ii)regulation 18(2) of those Regulations;

(iii)regulation 17(3) of the Private Water Supplies (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (SSI 2006/209); or

(iv)regulation 18(2) of those Regulations.

(2) On completion of the investigation mentioned in subsection (1) above the local authority must, as soon as possible, report the findings of the investigation to the Scottish Ministers.

(3) A report under subsection (2) above must set out—

(a)what, in the opinion of the local authority, is the cause of the relevant water quality issue;

(b)whether, in the opinion of the local authority, the relevant water quality issue constitutes a potential risk to human health; and

(c)any steps which the local authority intend to require by notice under section 76FB.

(4) On receipt of a report under subsection (2) above the Scottish Ministers may, in relation to the relevant water quality issue, give the local authority a direction as to the exercise of their functions under sections 76FA to 76FC.

(5) In particular, a direction under subsection (4) above may—

(a)specify any advice which the local authority must require to be given to consumers in relation to the relevant water quality issue by notice under section 76FB(3)(d) below;

(b)specify any steps which the local authority must require to be taken under section 76FB(3)(b) and (e) below; and

(c)specify the period which the local authority must require under section 76FB(3)(c) below.

(6) A local authority must comply with a direction given under subsection (4) above.

(7) Where a local authority conduct an investigation under subsection (1) above (and the investigation confirms the existence of a relevant water quality issue) the authority may recover the expenses reasonably incurred by the authority in conducting that investigation from the responsible person.

Remedial powers of local authorities where domestic distribution failure affects supply to public

76FB.—(1) This section applies where a local authority have completed an investigation under section 76FA(1) above.

(2) A local authority must serve a notice on the person who owns or is otherwise responsible for the domestic distribution system of the premises affected by the relevant water quality issue (the “responsible person”) for the purposes of ensuring a wholesome supply and protecting human health.

(3) A notice served under this section must—

(a)give particulars of the relevant water quality issue in respect of which the notice is served;

(b)specify any steps which the local authority require to be taken for the purposes of ensuring a wholesome supply and protecting human health;

(c)specify a period for the performance of each step;

(d)specify the advice (if any) which the local authority require the responsible person to communicate to consumers of the supply;

(e)specify any steps which the local authority require to be taken for the purpose of communicating such advice;

(f)specify a period ending not less than 28 days after the day on which the notice is served within which any representations or objections with respect to the notice must be received by the local authority; and

(g)state the effect in relation to that notice of section 76FC below.

(4) Where the local authority consider that a relevant water quality issue (including a relevant water quality issue relating to an indicator parameter) constitutes a potential risk to human health, the local authority must—

(a)require the taking of such steps under subsection (3)(b) above as the authority consider necessary to protect human health; and

(b)require advice to be given to consumers under subsection (3)(d).

(5) In requiring the taking of such steps as may be necessary to comply with subsection (4)(a) above, the local authority and the Scottish Ministers must take into account the risks to human health which would be caused by an interruption of the supply or a restriction in the use of water intended for human consumption (within the meaning of Article 2.1 of Council Directive 98/83/EC on the quality of water intended for human consumption).

(6) The provisions of section 76G(3) below shall have effect in relation to notices served under this section and the reference to a “relevant person” in that subsection shall be construed as a reference to a “responsible person” for the purposes of this section.

(7) Once the period specified for performance of a step required by a notice under this section has expired, a local authority must notify the Scottish Ministers as soon as possible of any actions taken by the responsible person and the local authority pursuant to, or in consequence of, the requirement to take the step.

(8) Unless a local authority consider a relevant water quality issue to be of a trivial nature, the authority must take such steps as the authority consider necessary to ensure that consumers are notified of any remedial action taken under, or pursuant to, a notice served under this section.

(9) In this section “indicator parameter” means a parameter listed in—

(a)Part II of Table B in Schedule 1 to the Water Supply (Water Quality) (Scotland) Regulations 2001 (SSI 2001/207);

(b)Schedule 2 to those Regulations;

(c)Part II of Table B in Schedule 1 to the Private Water Supplies (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (SSI 2006/209); or

(d)Table C in Schedule 1 to those Regulations.

Effect, confirmation and variation of a notice under section 76FB

76FC.—(1) The provisions of section 76H(1) to (10) below shall have effect in relation to notices served under section 76FB above subject to the modifications set out in subsection (2) below.

(2) The modifications to section 76H are—

(a)subsections (3)(c), (5)(b) and (5A) do not apply;

(b)for “76G” in each place where it occurs substitute “76FB”;

(c)for “relevant person” in both places where it occurs substitute “responsible person”;

(d)for “76G(2)(c) and (d)” in both places where it occurs substitute “76FB(3)(f) and (g)”; and

(e)in subsection (5)(a), omit the words “, except where the case is one to which paragraph (b) below applies,”.

(3) Any responsible person on whom a notice is served under section 76FB above, who fails without reasonable excuse to take any step as specified in the notice within the period so specified shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.”.

3.  In section 76G of the 1980 Act (remedial powers of local authorities in relation to private supplies), after subsection (1) insert—

“(1A) Subject to section 76FB(6), this section does not apply to a relevant water quality issue.”.

4.  In section 76HA of the 1980 Act (Application of sections 76G and 76H to certain private supplies)—

(a)after subsection (2)(b) insert—

“(ba)after subsection (3) insert—

“(3A) Where a local authority consider that a Type A supply falling within subsection (1)(a) above (including a supply which falls within subsection (1)(a) because of a failure in relation to an indicator parameter) constitutes a potential risk to human health, the local authority must require such steps under subsection (2)(b) above as are necessary to protect human health.

(3B) In requiring such steps as may be necessary to comply with subsection (3A) above, the local authority must take into account the risks to human health which would be caused by an interruption of the supply or a restriction in the use of water intended for human consumption purposes.””; and

(b)in subsection (2)(f) after “2006;” insert—

““indicator parameter” means a parameter listed in Part II of Table B or in Table C in Schedule 1 to those Regulations;”.

5.  In section 76L of the 1980 Act (interpretation etc. of Part VIA)—

(a)after the definition of “analyse” insert—

““domestic distribution system” has the meaning given by section 76FA(1) above;”; and

(b)after the definition of “private supply” insert—

““relevant water quality issue” has the meaning given by section 76FA(1) above;

“responsible person” has the meaning given by section 76FB(2) above;”.

Amendment of the Water Industry (Scotland) Act 2002

6.  In section 11 of the Water Industry (Scotland) Act 2002(6) (enforcement notices: further provisions), after subsection (7) insert—

“(7A) Where a public water supplier has rectified the contravention specified in an enforcement notice, the Regulator must publish (or arrange for the publication of) information to this effect, in such a manner as the Regulator thinks appropriate for bringing it to the attention of persons affected, or who may have been affected, by the   contravention.”.

Amendment of the Water Supply (Water Quality) (Scotland) Regulations 2001

7.—(1) Regulation 17 of the 2001 Regulations (investigations: Schedule 1 parameters) is amended in accordance with paragraphs (2) to (6).

(2) In paragraph (2), after sub-paragraph (a) insert—

“(aa)whether the failure or as the case may be, the apprehended failure poses a risk to human health;”.

(3) In paragraph (5)—

(a)for “As soon as may be” substitute “Immediately”;

(b)after “the Scottish Ministers” insert “and (in the case of failures or apprehended failures affecting premises or establishments in which water is supplied to the public, such as schools, hospitals and restaurants) the local authority in whose area the premises or establishment is located”;

(c)after sub-paragraph (a) insert—

“(aa)whether those matters relate to premises or establishments in which water is supplied to the public;”; and

(d)in sub-paragraph (c), omit “in relation to a failure which is attributable to the domestic distribution system or the maintenance of that system”.

(4) After paragraph (5), insert—

“(5A) Where the water authority has identified a failure which constitutes a potential risk to human health, it shall, at the same time as notice is given under paragraph (5)—

(a)by notice in writing (or in electronic form) to those of its consumers—

(i)to whom it supplies water for regulation 4(1) purposes; and

(ii)who are likely to be affected by the failure,

inform them of the nature of the failure and provide details of the steps (if any) that, in the opinion of the water authority, it is necessary or desirable for those consumers to take in the interests of their health; and

(b)send a copy of that notice to the Scottish Ministers and to each appropriate local authority.”

(5) In paragraph (6), after “maintenance of that system” insert “(and the failure does not require to be notified to consumers under paragraph (5A))”.

(6) In paragraph (7)—

(a)after “(5)” insert “, (5A)”; and

(b)after “requirements of” (where they second occur) insert “regulation 31(8) (insofar as they relate to a local authority notified under paragraph (5), (5A) or (6)) and”.

8.—(1) Regulation 18 of the 2001 Regulations (investigations: Schedule 2 indicator parameters) is amended in accordance with paragraphs (2) to (5).

(2) In paragraph (1)—

(a)after “it shall”, insert “immediately”;

(b)after sub-paragraph (a), insert—

“(aa)whether the supply poses a risk to human health;”; and

(c)in sub-paragraph (c) omit “if the specification for the coliform bacteria or colony count parameter (items 4 and 5 in Schedule 2) is not met,”.

(3) In paragraph (2)—

(a)for “As soon as may be” substitute “Immediately”;

(b)after “the Scottish Ministers” insert—

“and (in the case of failures or apprehended failures affecting premises or establishments in which water is supplied to the public such as schools, hospitals and restaurants) the local authority in whose area the premises or establishment is located”;

(c)at the end of sub-paragraph (a) omit “and”;

(d)after sub-paragraph (a) insert—

“(aa)whether those matters relate to premises or establishments in which water is supplied to the public;”; and

(e)after sub-paragraph (b) insert—

“and

(c)of the action (if any) taken by the water authority.”.

(4) After paragraph (2) insert—

“(2A) Where the inability to meet the specification constitutes a potential risk to human health, the water authority shall, at the same time as notice is given under paragraph (2)—

(a)by notice in writing (or in electronic form) to those of its consumers—

(i)to whom it supplies water for regulation 4(1) purposes; and

(ii)who are likely to be affected by the failure,

inform them of the nature of the failure and provide details of the steps (if any) that, in the opinion of the water authority, it is necessary or desirable for those consumers to take in the interests of their health; and

(b)send a copy of that notice to the Scottish Ministers and to each appropriate local authority.”.

(5) In paragraph (3), after “maintenance of that system,” insert “(and the failure does not require to be notified to consumers under paragraph (2A))”.

9.  After regulation 18 of the 2001 Regulations, insert—

“Action by the water authority

18A.—(1) In this regulation—

“indicator parameter” means a parameter listed in—

“public supply failure” means a failure or an inability to meet a specification which—

(2) Where the water authority identifies a public supply failure, the water authority must as soon as possible take such remedial action as is necessary to restore a wholesome supply, having regard to the extent to which any parameters in Schedule 1 or Schedule 2 have been exceeded and the potential risk to human health.

(3) The duty at paragraph (2) does not apply where the failure is the subject of an enforcement notice issued to the water authority under section 10 of the Water Industry (Scotland) Act 2002.

(4) Where the water authority identifies a public supply failure (including a public supply failure in relation to an indicator parameter) which constitutes a potential risk to human health, the water authority must take such action under paragraph (2) or otherwise, as is necessary to protect human health.

(5) The water authority must decide what action should be taken to comply with paragraph (4), bearing in mind the risks to human health which would be caused by an interruption of the supply or a restriction in the use of water intended for human consumption.

(6) The water authority must by notice in writing (or in electronic form) to those of its consumers—

(a)to whom it supplies water for regulation 4(1) purposes; and

(b)who were affected or were likely to have been affected by the failure,

inform those consumers of any remedial action taken in accordance with paragraph (2).

(7) The duty at paragraph (6) does not apply where the water authority considers that the public supply failure is trivial.

(8) Notwithstanding paragraph (7), a water authority must comply with any notice given to it by the Scottish Ministers under regulation 19(4).”.

10.  For regulation 19(4) of the 2001 Regulations (action by the Scottish Ministers) , substitute—

“(4) Where the Scottish Ministers consider that a notification given under regulation 18(2) or 17(5) discloses a risk to human health, or a failure which is not trivial, they may by notice in writing (or in electronic form) to the water authority require the water authority to take such steps as may be determined by them and specified in the notice (including, but not limited to, steps to notify consumers of any remedial action taken in relation to a supply).”.

11.  In regulation 20(1)(a) of the 2001 Regulations (authorisation of a temporary supply of water that is not wholesome) omit “Part II of Table A in Schedule 1 or in”.

12.  In regulation 21(1) of the 2001 Regulations (authorisations: terms and conditions) for “such” substitute “as short a”.

13.  In regulation 25 of the 2001 Regulations (treatment of raw water) after paragraph (1) insert—

“(1A) Where the water authority disinfects a supply of water for regulation 4(1) purposes, the water authority shall—

(a)where necessary, subject the water to sufficient preliminary treatment to prepare the water for disinfection;

(b)design, operate and maintain the disinfection process so as to keep disinfection by- products as low as possible without compromising the performance of the disinfection process ; and

(c)verify the performance of the disinfection process.”.

14.—(1) Schedule 3 to the 2001 Regulations is amended in accordance with paragraphs (2) to (4).

(2) For Table 2 substitute—

(3) For Table 3 substitute—

(4) For Table 4 substitute—

Amendment of the Private Water Supplies (Scotland) Regulations 2006

15.  After regulation 5 of the 2006 Regulations, insert—

“Duty of relevant person in relation to disinfection

5A.  Where a relevant person disinfects a private water supply for human consumption purposes, the relevant person must—

(a)where necessary, subject the water to sufficient preliminary treatment to prepare the water for disinfection; and

(b)design, operate and maintain the disinfection process so as to keep disinfection by-products as low as possible without compromising the performance of the disinfection process.”.

16.  For regulation 9(3) of the 2006 Regulations (authorisation of temporary departure: terms and conditions), substitute—

“(3) Subject to paragraphs (4) and (6), an appropriate local authority may authorise a departure for as short a period as may be authorised (“the departure period”) in which, in the opinion of the appropriate local authority, it is possible to secure a supply of water for human consumption purposes which satisfies the requirements of Part IV.”.

17.—(1) Regulation 17 of the 2006 Regulations (investigations: Schedule 1 microbiological and chemical parameters) is amended in accordance with paragraphs (2) to (6).

(2) In paragraph (1), after sub-paragraph (a) insert—

“(aa)whether the failure or, as the case may be, the apprehended failure, poses a risk to human health;”; and

(3) In paragraph (3)—

(a)for “As soon as is reasonably practicable”, substitute “Immediately”;

(b)after “relevant person” insert—

“, the Scottish Ministers”;

(c)at the end of sub-paragraph (a), omit “and”; and

(d)after sub-paragraph (a), insert—

“(aa)whether those matters relate to premises or establishments in which water is supplied to the public (such as schools, hospitals and restaurants);”.

(4) In paragraph (4), for “reasonably practicable”, substitute “possible”.

(5) In paragraph (7), for “reasonably practicable”, substitute “possible”.

(6) After paragraph (8), insert—

“(9) Where the failure constitutes a potential risk to human health, the monitoring local authority must give the relevant person or, as the case may be, the responsible person, the directions mentioned in—

(a)paragraph (4)(b); and

(b)paragraph (7)(a).”.

18.—(1) Regulation 18 of the 2006 Regulations (investigations: Schedule 1 indicator parameters) is amended in accordance with paragraphs (2) to (7).

(2) In paragraph (1)—

(a)after sub-paragraph (a) insert—

“(aa)whether the inability to meet the specifications poses a risk to human health;”; and

(b)in sub-paragraph (c), omit “if the specification for the coliform bacteria or colony count parameter (items 4 and 5 in Table C in Schedule 1) is not met,”.

(3) In paragraph (2)—

(a)for “As soon as reasonably practicable”, substitute “Immediately”;

(b)after “relevant person” insert—

“, the Scottish Ministers,”; and

(c)after paragraph (a), insert—

“(aa)whether those matters relate to premises or establishments in which water is supplied to the public (such as schools, hospitals and restaurants)”.

(4) In paragraph (3), for “reasonably practicable”, substitute “possible”.

(5) In paragraph (5), for “reasonably practicable”, substitute “possible”.

(6) In paragraph (7), for “reasonably practicable”, substitute “possible”.

(7) After paragraph (7), insert—

“(8) Where the failure constitutes a potential risk to human health, the monitoring local authority must give the responsible person the directions mentioned in—

(a)paragraph (5)(b); and

(b)paragraph (7)(a).”.

19.  After regulation 18 of the 2006 Regulations, insert—

“Additional notification of consumers

18A.  Unless the monitoring local authority consider the failure identified under regulation 17 or 18 to be trivial, it must take such steps as are necessary to notify consumers, or to ensure that consumers are notified, of any remedial action performed under or pursuant to a notice served under section 76G of the 1980 Act in respect of that failure.”.

20.  In regulation 34 of the 2006 Regulations (register of private water supplies) after paragraph (1)(i) insert—

“(ia)any enforcement notices served by the authority in relation to the supply under section 76FB of the 1980 Act (whether or not confirmed by the Scottish Ministers under section 76FC of that Act), including—

(i)the particulars of the person on whom the notice was served

(ii)the date of service of the notice;

(iii)the matters specified in subsection (3) of section 76FB;”

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations amend various instruments to further transpose Council Directive 98/83/EC(7) on the quality of water intended for human consumption (“the Directive”).

The Directive was first transposed in relation to the public water supply by the Water Supply (Water Quality) (Scotland) Regulations 2001(8) (“the 2001 Regulations”) and in relation to private water supplies, by the Private Water Supplies (Scotland) Regulations 2006(9) (“the 2006 Regulations”), the Private Water Supplies (Grants) (Scotland) Regulations 2006(10) and the Private Water Supplies (Notices) (Scotland) Regulations 2006(11).

Regulation 2 of these Regulations introduces 3 new sections into Part VIA of the Water (Scotland) Act 1980(12) (“the 1980 Act”). The new sections address the treatment of water quality failures in premises in which water is supplied to the public, where those failures are attributable to the domestic distribution system, e.g. the pipes and fittings, of the premises in question. The new sections refer to this particular type of failure as a “relevant water quality issue”. The sections transpose the requirements of Article 6(2) (together with Article 8) of the Directive.

New section 76FA of the 1980 Act requires local authorities to investigate relevant water quality issues to determine their cause and to report the findings of the investigation to Scottish Ministers. New section 76FB requires local authorities to serve a notice on the person responsible for the domestic distribution system (“the responsible person”), for the purposes of ensuring a wholesome water supply and of protecting human health. The notice must specify the steps which the local authority require the responsible person to take in relation to the relevant water quality issue. New section 76FB also requires local authorities to inform consumers of any remedial action taken under, or pursuant to, a notice served under the section (unless the local authority consider the failure to be trivial). New section 76FC makes provision in relation to the effect of a notice served under section 76FB and introduces an offence of failure to comply with a notice without reasonable excuse. The penalty on summary conviction is a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.

Regulation 3 amends section 76G of the 1980 Act to prevent a notice being served under both that section and new section 76FB in respect of a relevant water quality issue.

Regulation 4 amends section 76HA of the 1980 Act to modify section 76H in respect of private water supplies, within the meaning of the 2006 Regulations. The modifications introduced by regulation 4 require local authorities, when dealing with a supply which constitutes a potential risk to human health, to require by notice served under section 76G such steps as may be necessary to protect human health. Regulation 5 inserts some relevant definitions into section 76L of the 1980 Act.

Regulation 6 amends the Water Industry (Scotland) Act 2002(13) to require the Drinking Water Quality Regulator for Scotland to notify those persons affected by a contravention of a drinking water quality duty (e.g. a failure in water quality) that the public water supplier (i.e. Scottish Water) has rectified the contravention.

Regulations 7-14 amend the 2001 Regulations in consequence of the new sections 76FA-FC of the 1980 Act and to further transpose the Directive. Regulation 7(4) introduces a new paragraph (5A) into regulation 17 of the 2001 Regulations (investigations: Schedule 1 parameters). This requires the water authority (i.e. Scottish Water) to inform consumers where it has identified a failure in water quality which constitutes a potential risk to human health and to provide details of the steps which consumers should take in the interests of their health. Equivalent provision is made by regulation 8(4) in respect of regulation 18 of the 2001 Regulations (investigations: Schedule 2 indicator parameters).

Regulation 9 introduces a new regulation 18A into the 2001 Regulations. This places Scottish Water under a duty to take remedial action in relation to any failure in water quality arising from the public supply system. Where the failure poses a risk to human health (including those circumstances where the risk to health is caused by a failure of an indicator parameter) new regulation 18A requires the water authority to take such action as is necessary to protect human health. Scottish Water is also placed under a duty to inform consumers of any remedial action taken in relation to a supply (unless it considers that the failure was trivial).

Regulation 11 amends regulation 20 of the 2001 Regulations and has the effect of restricting authorised departures to those parameters contained in Table B of Schedule 1 to the 2001 Regulations (chemical parameters) only.

Regulation 13 amends regulation 25 of the 2001 Regulations. It places Scottish Water under an obligation to keep disinfection by- products to a minimum without compromising the performance of the disinfection and to verify the performance of the disinfection process.

Regulation 14 substitutes Tables 2, 3 and 4 in Schedule 3 to the 2001 Regulations.

Regulations 15- 20 amend the 2006 Regulations in consequence of the new sections 76FA-FC of the 1980 Act and to further transpose the Directive. Regulation 15 introduces a duty on the relevant person to keep disinfection by- products to a minimum without compromising the performance of the disinfection.

Regulations 17(6) and 18(7) require local authorities to direct the relevant (or responsible) person to inform consumers of any failure in water quality which constitutes a potential risk to human health.

Regulation 18(2)(b) amends regulation 18(1)(c) of the 2006 Regulations (investigations: Schedule 1 indicator parameters). It has the effect of requiring local authorities to identify whether or not a failure in relation to any parameter in Schedule 1 to the 2006 Regulations is attributable to the domestic distribution system of the premises in question, or to the maintenance of that system. Previously this duty was restricted to failures in coliform bacteria or colony count parameters only.

Regulation 19 introduces a new regulation 18A into the 2006 Regulations which requires local authorities to notify consumers of remedial action performed under, or pursuant to a notice served under section 76G of the 1980 Act.

Regulation 20 amends regulation 34 of the 2006 Regulations and requires local authorities to include details of any notices served under new section 76FB of the 1980 Act in a public register.