Explanatory note

These Regulations amend the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 1989.

There are two principal changes. Firstly, the amendment to regulation 3(6) permits a water undertaker to regard as wholesome water which contains total coliforms (a microbiological parameter) only if 95% of the results of analysis of samples taken in respect of total coliforms in the preceding 12 months established an absence of total coliforms or, where less than 50 samples were taken in that period, total coliforms were absent from 95% of the last 50 samples.

Secondly, the amendment to regulation 6(2) enables the Secretary of State to impose conditions on authorisations granted under Part III of the Regulations (relaxations of the requirements of Part II).

The Regulations also make a number of drafting amendments.