{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/surface-waters-abstraction-for-drinking-water-classification-regulations-northern-ireland-1996/schedule-2/part-1",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/surface-waters-abstraction-for-drinking-water-classification-regulations-northern-ireland-1996/schedule-2/part-1.json",
  "legislation": "nisr/1996/603",
  "legislation_title": "The Surface Waters (Abstraction for Drinking Water) (Classification) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/surface-waters-abstraction-for-drinking-water-classification-regulations-northern-ireland-1996",
  "path": "schedule/2/part/1",
  "kind": "part",
  "number": null,
  "heading": "Part I",
  "text": "No. in Annex 1 to 79/869 /EEC\nParameters\nLimit of detection\nPrecision\nAccuracy\nMethod of measurement\nMaterials recommended for the container\n1 “Limit of detection” means the minimum value of the parameter examined which it is possible to detect.\n2 “Precision” means the range within which 95% of the results of measurements made on a single sample, using the same method, are located.\n3 “Accuracy” means the difference between the true value of the parameter examined and the average experimental value obtained.\n4 For values in the column of Category DW1 in Schedule 1.\n5 For waters classified as DW2 or DW3.\n6 For waters classified as DW3.\n7 For values in the I columns of Schedule 1.\n8 For values in the I column of Category DWI, and values in Category DW3 in Schedule 1.\n9 For values in the G columns of Categories DW2 and DW3 in Schedule 1\n10 Mixture of six standard substances all of the same concentration to be taken into consideration: fluoranthene; 3, 4-benzofluoranthene; 11, 12-benzofluoranthene; 3, 4-benzopyrene; 1, 12 benzoperylene; indano/1, 2, 3-cd/pyrene.\n11 Mixture of three substances all of the same concentration to be taken into consideration; parathion, hexachlorocyclohexane, dieldrin.\n12 If the samples contain so much suspended matter as to require special preliminary treatment, the accuracy values shown in the above Table may as an exception be exceeded and are to be regarded as a target. The samples must be treated so as to ensure that the analysis covers the largest quantity of substances to be measured.\n13 As this method is not in current use in all Member States it is not certain that the limit of detection required for checking values can be attained.\n14 Absence in this volume for values in the G column of Category DW1 in Schedule 1.\n15 Absence in this volume for values in the G column of Category DW2 in Schedule 1.\n1\npH\npH unit\n—\n0.1\n0.2\nElectrometry, measured in situ at the time of sampling without prior treatment of the sample.\n2\nColoration (after simple filtration)\nmg/l Pt Scale\n5\n10%\n20%\nFiltering through a glass fibre membrane. Photometric method using platinum-cobalt scale.\n3\nTotal suspended solids\nmg/l SS\n—\n5%\n10%\nFiltering through a 0.45 μm filter membrane, drying at 105°C and weighing. Centrifuging (for at least 5 mins with mean acceleration of 2,800 to 3,200 g), drying at 105°C and weighing.\n4\nTemperature\n°C\n—\n0.5\n1\nThermometry. Measured in situ at the time of sampling without prior treatment of the sample.\n5\nConductivity at 20°C\nμs/cm\n—\n5%\n10%\nElectrometry.\n6\nOdour\n(dilution factor at 25°C)\n—\n—\n—\nBy successive dilutions.\nGlass.\n7\nNitrates\nmg/l NO3\n2\n10%\n20%\nMolecular absorption spectrophotometry.\n8\nFluorides\nmg/l F\n0.05\n10%\n20%\nMolecular absorption spectrophotometry after distillation if necessary. Ion selective electrodes.\n10\nDissolved iron\nmg/1 Fe\n0.02\n10%\n20%\nAtomic absorption spectrophotometry after filtering through a filter membrane (0.45 μm). Molecular absorption spectrophotometry after filtering through a 0.45 μm filter membrane.\n11\nManganese\nmg/l Mn\n0.01\n0.02\n10%\n10%\n20%\n20%\nAtomic absorption spectrophotometry.\nAtomic absorption spectrophotometry. Molecular absorption spectrophotometry.\n12\nCopper\nmg/l Cu\n0.005\n0.02\n10%\n10%\n20%\n20%\nAtomic absorption spectrophotometry. Polarography.\nAtomic absorption spectrophotometry. Molecular absorption spectrophotometry. Polarography.\n13\nZinc\nmg/l Zn\n0.01\n0.02\n10%\n10%\n20%\n20%\nAtomic absorption spectrophotometry.\nAtomic absorption spectrophotometry. Molecular absorption spectrophotometry.\n14\nBoron\nmg/l B\n0.1\n10%\n20%\nMolecular absorption spectrophotometry. Atomic absorption spectrophotometry.\nMaterials not containing boron in any significant quantities.\n19\nArsenic\nmg/l As\n0.002\n0.01\n20%\n10%\n20%\n20%\nAtomic absorption spectrophotometry.\nAtomic absorption spectrophotometry. Molecular absorption spectrophotometry.\n20\nCadmium\nmg/l Cd\n0.0002\n0.001\n30%\n30%\nAtomic absorption spectrophotometry. Polarography.\n21\nTotal chromium\nmg/l Cr\n0.01\n20%\n30%\nAtomic absorption spectrophotometry. Molecular absorption spectrophotometry.\n22\nLead\nmg/1 Pb\n0.01\n20%\n30%\nAtomic absorption spectrophotometry. Polarography.\n23\nSelenium\nmg/l Se\n0.005\n10%\n10%\nAtomic absorption spectrophotometry.\n24\nMercury\nmg/l Hg\n0.0001\n0.0002\n30%\n30%\nFlameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry (cold vaporisation).\n25\nBarium\nmg/l Ba\n0.02\n15%\n30%\nAtomic absorption spectrophotometry.\n26\nCyanide\nmg/l CN\n0.01\n20%\n30%\nMolecular absorption spectrophotometry.\n27\nSulphates\nmg/l SO4\n10\n10%\n10%\nGravimetric analysis. EDTA compleximetry. Molecular absorption spectrophotometry.\n28\nChlorides\nmg/l Cl\n10\n10%\n10%\nTitration (Mohr’s method). Molecular absorption spectrophotometry.\n29\nSurfactants (reacting with methylene blue)\nmg/l (lauryl sulphate\n0.05\n20%\nMolecular absorption spectrophotometry.\n30\nPhosphates\nmg/l P2O5\n0.02\n10%\n20%\nMolecular absorption spectrophotometry.\n31\nPhenols (phenol index) parani-traniline 4 amino-antipyrene\nmg/l C6H5OH\n0.0005\n0.001\n0.0005\n30%\n0.0005\n50%\nMolecular absorption spectrophotometry. 4 aminoantipyrine method. Paranitraniline method.\nGlass.\n32\nDissolved or emulsified hydro- carbons (after extraction by petroleum ether)\nmg/l\n0.01\n0.04\n20%\n20%\n30%\n30%\nInfra-red spectrometry after extraction by carbon tetrachloride. Gravimetry after extraction by petroleum ether.\nGlass.\n33\nPolycyclic aromatic hydro-carbons\nmg/l\n0.00004\n50%\n50%\nMeasurement of fluorescence in the UV after thin layer chromatography. Comparative measurements in relation to a mixture of six control substances with the same concentration.\nGlass or aluminium.\n34\nTotal pesticides (parathion, hexachloro- cyclohexane, dieldrin)\nmg/l\n0.0001\n50%\n50%\nGas or liquid chromatography after extraction by suitable solvents and purification. Identification of the constituents of the mixture. Quantitative analysis.\nGlass.\n35\nChemical oxygen demand (COD)\nmg/l O2\n15\n20%\n20%\nPotassium dichromate method.\n36\nDissolved oxygen saturation rate\n% O2\n5\n10%\n10%\nWinkler’s method. Electro-chemical method.\nGlass.\n37\nBiochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) (at 20°C without nitrification)\nmg/l O2\n2\n1.5\n2\nDetermination of dissolved oxygen before and after five day incubation at 20°C ± 1°C in complete darkness. Addition of a nitrification inhibitor.\n38\nNitrogen, Kjeldahl method (except NO2 or NO3)\nmg/l N\n0.3\n0.5\n0.5\nMineralisation, distillation by the Kjeldahl method and ammonium determination by means of molecular absorption spectrophotometry or titration.\n39\nAmmonium\nmg/l NH4\n0.01\n0.1\n0.03\n10%\n0.03\n20%\nMolecular absorption spectrophotometry.\n40\nSubstances extractable with chloroform\nmg/l\n()\nExtraction at neutral pH value by purified chloroform, evaporation in vacuo at room temperature, weighing of residue.\n43\nTotal coliforms\n/100 ml\n5\n500\nCulture at 37°C on an appropriate specific solid medium (such as Tergitol lactose agar, Endo agar, 0.4% Teepol broth) with filtration or without filtration and colony count. Samples must be diluted or, where appropriate, concentrated in such a way as to contain between 10 and 100 colonies. If necessary, identification by gasification.\nAlternative method:— Method of dilution with fermentation in liquid substrates in at least three tubes in three dilutions. Sub-culturing of the positive tubes on a confirmation medium. Count according to MPN (most probable number). Incubation temperature 37°C ± 1°C.\nSterilised glass.\n44\nFaecal coliforms\n/100 ml\n2\n200\nCulture at 44°C on an appropriate specific solid medium (such as Tergitol lactose agar, Endo agar, 0.4% Teepol broth) with filtration or without filtration and colony count. Samples must be diluted or, where appropriate, concentrated in such a way as to contain between 10 and 100 colonies. If necessary, identification by gasification.\nAlternative method:— Method of dilution with fermentation in liquid substrates in at least three tubes in three dilutions. Sub-culturing of the positive tubes on a confirmation medium. Count according to MPN (most probable number). Incubation temperature 44°C ± 0.5°C.\nSterilised glass.\n45\nFaecal streptococci\n/100 ml\n2\n200\nCulture at 37°C on an appropriate specific solid medium (such as sodium azide) with filtration or without filtration and colony count. Samples must be diluted or, where appropriate, concentrated in such a way as to contain between 10 and 100 colonies.\nAlternative method:— Method of dilution in sodium azide broth in at least three tubes in three dilutions. Count according to MPN (most probable number.\n46\nSalmonella\n1/5,000 ml\n1/1,000 ml\nConcentration by filtration (on membrane or appropriate filter). Inoculation into pre-enrichment medium. Enrichment and transfer into isolating gelese. Identification.\nSterilised glass.",
  "extent": "N.I.",
  "status": "prospective",
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [
    {
      "type": "footnote",
      "label": "f1",
      "text": "1 “Limit of detection” means the minimum value of the parameter examined which it is possible to detect."
    },
    {
      "type": "footnote",
      "label": "f2",
      "text": "2 “Precision” means the range within which 95% of the results of measurements made on a single sample, using the same method, are located."
    },
    {
      "type": "footnote",
      "label": "f3",
      "text": "3 “Accuracy” means the difference between the true value of the parameter examined and the average experimental value obtained."
    },
    {
      "type": "footnote",
      "label": "f4",
      "text": "4 For values in the column of Category DW1 in Schedule 1."
    },
    {
      "type": "footnote",
      "label": "f5",
      "text": "5 For waters classified as DW2 or DW3."
    },
    {
      "type": "footnote",
      "label": "f6",
      "text": "12 If the samples contain so much suspended matter as to require special preliminary treatment, the accuracy values shown in the above Table may as an exception be exceeded and are to be regarded as a target. The samples must be treated so as to ensure that the analysis covers the largest quantity of substances to be measured."
    },
    {
      "type": "footnote",
      "label": "f7",
      "text": "6 For waters classified as DW3."
    },
    {
      "type": "footnote",
      "label": "f8",
      "text": "7 For values in the I columns of Schedule 1."
    },
    {
      "type": "footnote",
      "label": "f9",
      "text": "8 For values in the I column of Category DWI, and values in Category DW3 in Schedule 1."
    },
    {
      "type": "footnote",
      "label": "f10",
      "text": "10 Mixture of six standard substances all of the same concentration to be taken into consideration: fluoranthene; 3, 4-benzofluoranthene; 11, 12-benzofluoranthene; 3, 4-benzopyrene; 1, 12 benzoperylene; indano/1, 2, 3-cd/pyrene."
    },
    {
      "type": "footnote",
      "label": "f11",
      "text": "11 Mixture of three substances all of the same concentration to be taken into consideration; parathion, hexachlorocyclohexane, dieldrin."
    },
    {
      "type": "footnote",
      "label": "f12",
      "text": "13 As this method is not in current use in all Member States it is not certain that the limit of detection required for checking values can be attained."
    },
    {
      "type": "footnote",
      "label": "f13",
      "text": "9 For values in the G columns of Categories DW2 and DW3 in Schedule 1"
    },
    {
      "type": "footnote",
      "label": "f14",
      "text": "14 Absence in this volume for values in the G column of Category DW1 in Schedule 1."
    },
    {
      "type": "footnote",
      "label": "f15",
      "text": "15 Absence in this volume for values in the G column of Category DW2 in Schedule 1."
    }
  ],
  "outstanding_effects": [
    {
      "type": "coming into force",
      "affecting": "nisr/1996/603",
      "affecting_title": "The Surface Waters (Abstraction for Drinking Water) (Classification) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996"
    },
    {
      "type": "coming into force",
      "affecting": "nisr/1996/603",
      "affecting_title": "The Surface Waters (Abstraction for Drinking Water) (Classification) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996"
    }
  ],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/1996/603/schedule/2/part/1",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-10-29T02:31:40.185100+00:00"
  },
  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
  "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
  "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
}