Schedule 5 AMENDMENT OF THE WATER QUALITY REGULATIONS (NORTHERN IRELAND) 1994I1

after regulation 13, the insertion of the following regulation –

“Frequency of sampling for particular organisms and substances

13A

(1)

Subject to paragraphs (5) and (6), in each of the years 2002 and 2003, the Department for Regional Development shall take, or cause to be taken, from its sampling points or, as the case may be, its supply points, for analysis for testing against the concentrations and values specified in column (2) of Table 4A for the organisms and substances listed in column (1) of that Table, not less than the number of samples specified in paragraphs (2) and (3).

(2)

In respect of supply points and the supply of a volume of water within a range shown in column (3) of that Table, the number is that shown in column (4) of that Table with the prefix “S” as applicable to a volume within that range.

(3)

In respect of sampling points and the supply of water to an estimated population within a range shown in column (5) of that Table, the number is that shown in column (6) of that Table with the prefix “S” as applicable to a population within that range.

(4)

In each of those years samples shall be taken at regular intervals throughout the year.

(5)

Where analysis of the samples taken by the Department for Regional Development in 2002 in accordance with this regulation has established a concentration or value in respect of an organism or substance listed in column (1) of Table 4A that is significantly lower than the prescribed concentration or value, the number of samples to be taken in 2003, respectively, for analysis for testing for that organism or substance, may be the number shown in column (4) or, as the case may be, column (6) of that Table with the prefix “R”.”;

after regulation 19, the insertion of the following regulation –

“Additional testing for particular parameters

19A

The samples taken in accordance with regulation 13 shall additionally be tested against the concentrations specified in column (2) of Table 4B.”;

in regulation 20 (collection and analysis of samples) –

after regulation 20, the insertion of the following regulation –

“Method of analysis of samples for particular parameters and substances

20A

(1)

The method of analysis used for testing for a parameter or other substance listed in column (1) of Table 4B against the concentrations in column (2) of that Table must be capable, at the time of use –

(a)

of measuring concentrations with the trueness and precision specified in relation to that parameter or substance in columns (3) and (4) of Table 4B; and

(b)

of detecting the parameter or substance at the limit of detection specified in relation to it in column (5) of that Table.

(2)

For the purposes of paragraph (1) –

• “limit of detection” is to be calculated as –

  1. (a)

     three times the relative within batch standard deviation of a natural sample containing a low concentration of the parameter or substance; or

  2. (b)

     five times the relative within batch standard deviation of a blank sample;

• “precision” (the random error) is to be calculated as twice the standard deviation (within a batch and between batches) of the spread of results about the mean; and

• “trueness” (the systematic error) is to be calculated as the difference between the mean value of the large number of repeated measurements and the true value”.

in regulation 26(1)(f), after the words “Part IV ”, the insertion of “, other than regulation 13A,”; and

the insertion, after Table 4 in Schedule 3, of the following Tables –