SCHEDULE 3U.K.Sampling and analysis

PART 1U.K.General

[F1Samples: generalU.K.

1.—(1) A local authority must secure, so far as reasonably practicable, that when it takes, handles, transports, stores or analyses any sample required to be taken for the purposes of this Schedule, or causes any such sample to be taken, handled, transported, stored or analysed, it complies with the appropriate requirements.

(2) A local authority must secure that a person accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service checks from time to time the local authority’s compliance with the appropriate requirements.

(3) Additionally, when undertaking activity described in sub-paragraph (1) the local authority must demonstrate compliance with the following standards—

(a)as regards any such activity, other than analysing samples, on or after 11th July 2020, European standard EN ISO/IEC 17024 entitled “Conformity Assessment. General requirements for bodies operating certification of persons”, European standard EN ISO/IEC 17025 entitled “General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories” or other equivalent standards accepted at international level;

(b)as regards the activity of analysing samples, European standard EN ISO/IEC 17025 or another equivalent standard accepted at international level.

(4) In this paragraph, “appropriate requirements” means such of the following as are applicable—

(a)the sample is representative of the quality of the water at the time of sampling;

(b)the person taking the sample is doing so in accordance with a system of quality control to an appropriate standard;

(c)the sample is not contaminated in the course of being taken;

(d)the sample is kept at such a temperature and in such conditions as will secure that there is no material alteration of the concentration or value for the measurement or observation of which the sample is intended;

(e)the sample is analysed whether at the time and place it is taken or as soon as reasonably practicable after it is taken—

(i)by or under the supervision of a person who is competent to perform that task, and

(i)with the use of such equipment as is suitable for the purpose.]

Analysing samplesU.K.

2.—(1) A local authority must ensure that each sample is analysed in accordance with this paragraph.

(2) For each parameter specified in the first column of Table 1 in Part 2 of this Schedule, the method of analysis is specified in the second column of that Table.

F2(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F3(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5) The method of analysis used for odour and taste parameters must be capable of measuring values equal to the parametric value with a precision [F4or uncertainty of measurement] of 1 dilution number at 25°C.

[F5(6) For the parameters set out in Table 3 in Part 2 of this Schedule, the specified performance characteristics are that the method of analysis used must be capable of measuring concentrations equal to the parametric value with a limit of quantification, as defined in Article 2(2) of Commission Directive 2009/90/EC laying down technical specifications for chemical analysis and monitoring of water status, of 30% or less of the relevant parametric value and an uncertainty of measurement as specified in that Table.

(7) The result must be expressed using at least the same number of significant figures as for the parametric value quoted and in the same units laid down in these Regulations.

(8) The uncertainty of measurement laid down in Table 3 in Part 2 of this Schedule must not be used as an additional tolerance to the parametric values set out in Schedule 1.]

Authorisation of alternative methods of analysisU.K.

3.—(1) The Secretary of State may authorise a method different from that set out in paragraph 2(2) if satisfied that it is at least as reliable.

(2) An authorisation may be time-limited and may be revoked at any time.

Sampling and analysis by persons other than local authoritiesU.K.

4.—(1) A local authority may enter into an arrangement for any person to take and analyse samples on its behalf.

(2) A local authority must not enter into an arrangement under sub-paragraph (1) unless—

(a)it is satisfied that the task will be carried out promptly by a person competent to perform it, and

(b)it has made arrangements that ensure that any breach of these Regulations is communicated to it immediately, and any other result is communicated to it within 28 days.