Last reviewed: 4.1.2014 - 8.07am

Water quality regulation

The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) monitor and enforce water qualityregulations on behalf of the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

Their job is toassess the wholesomeness of drinking water, and carry outaudits of all water suppliers to examine all aspects of water quality, treatment, monitoring and analysis.

The quality of our drinking water is determined by standards setout in the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2000 (and associated amendments).

• Find out more about the Drinking Water Inspectorate

Drinking water quality

Our water is tested against 50 different elements to determine the microbiological, chemical, radiological and aesthetic qualities of it.

These standardsareoutlined in the legislation to protect public health and ourcompliance is monitored by the DWI.

Results from water samples collected at our treatment works, service reservoirs and customer taps are compared to these quality standards and anyfailures are then reported to the DWI.

• Drinking water quality standards explained

Testing our water

Samples collected from customers properties are carried out by our authorised employees. The safety of our customers is important to us so please ensure that you are familiar with our bogus caller advice.

Once the samples have been collected they are passed to our advanced laboratory for analysis.

We employ highly trained staff with extensive analytical skills in microbiology, organic and inorganic chemistry, metals analysis and materials testing.

The laboratory and sampling teams are independently assessed and accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS).

• Find out more about the United Kingdom Accreditation Service.