# The Surface Waters (Classification) Regulations 1989

S.I. 1989/1148 · made 6 July 1989

These Regulations prescribe the system of classifying the quality of inland waters (as defined in section 103(1)(c) of the Water Act 1989) according to their suitability for abstraction by water undertakers for supply (after treatment) as drinking water.

## Introductory text

WATER, ENGLAND AND WALES
Made 6th July 1989
Laid before Parliament 7th July 1989
Coming into force 1st September 1989
The Secretary of State for the Environment and the Secretary of State for Wales, acting jointly in exercise of the powers conferred on them by section 104(1) of the Water Act 1989 hereby make the following Regulations:—

## 1 Citation and commencement

These Regulations may be cited as the Surface Waters (Classification) Regulations 1989 and shall come into force on 1st September 1989.

## 2 Classification of waters

The classifications prescribed by these Regulations apply only in relation to inland waters (including any lake or pond which, by virtue of an order made under section 103(5) of the Water Act 1989, is to be treated as a relevant lake or pond).

## 3 Classification of waters

The classifications DW1, DW2 and DW3 and the criteria for those classifications set out in the Schedule to these Regulations shall apply for classifying waters by reference to their suitability for abstraction by water undertakers for supply (after treatment) as drinking water.

## Signature

Signed by authority of the Secretary of State
Michael Howard
Minister for Water and Planning
Department of the Environment
6th July 1989
Peter Walker
Secretary of State for Wales
6th July 1989

## Criteria for the classification of waters

The limits set out below are maxima
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
No. in Annex II to 75/440/EEC
Parameters
DW1
DW2
DW3
Note
(1) The value given is an upper limit set in relation to the mean annual temperature (high and low).
2
Coloration (after simple filtration) mg/1 Pt Scale
20
100
200
4
Temperature °C
25
25
25
7
Nitrates mg/1 NO3
50
50
50
8(1)
Fluorides mg/1 F
1·5
10
Dissolved iron mg/1 Fe
0·3
2
12
Copper mg/1 Cu
0·05
13
Zinc mg/1 Zn
3
5
5
19
Arsenic mg/1 As
0·05
0·05
0·1
20
Cadmium mg/1 Cd
0·005
0·005
0·005
21
Total chromium mg/1 Cr
0·05
0·05
0·05
22
Lead mg/1 Pb
0·05
0·05
0·05
23
Selenium mg/1 Se
0·01
0·01
0·01
24
Mercury mg/1 Hg
0·001
0·001
0·001
25
Barium mg/1 Ba
0·1
1
1
26
Cyanide mg/1 Cn
0·05
0·05
0·05
27
Sulphates mg/1 SO4
250
250
250
31
Phenols (phenol index) paranitraniline 4 aminoantipyrine mg/1 C6H5OH
0·001
0·005;
0·1
32
Dissolved or emulsified hydrocarbons (after extraction by petroleum ether) mg/1
0·05
0·2
1
33
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons mg/1
0·0002
0·0002
0·001
34
Total pesticides (parathion, BHC, dieldrin) mg/1
0·001
0·0025
0·005
39
Ammonia mg/1 NH4
1·5
4

## Explanatory note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations prescribe the system of classifying the quality of inland waters (as defined in section 103(1)(c) of the Water Act 1989) according to their suitability for abstraction by water undertakers for supply (after treatment) as drinking water.
The classifications DW1, DW2 and DW3 reflect the mandatory values assigned by Annex II to Council Directive 75/440/EEC, (OJ No. L 194, 25.7.75, p.26) (concerning the quality required of surface water intended for the abstraction of drinking water) to the parameters listed in the Schedule to the Regulations.
The classifications are relevant for the purposes of setting water quality objectives for rivers, lakes and other inland waters under section 105 of the Act and for ascertaining the treatment to which the water is to be subjected before it is supplied for public use, in accordance with Part VI of the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 1989 (S.I. 1989/1147).

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1989/1148 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/surface-waters-classification-regulations-1989
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.