The water supply (water quality)(amendement) regualtions (NI) 2009

The Department for Regional Development today launched consultation on the proposed Water Supply (Water Quality) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2009.

The Regulations will:

make the monitoring of raw water quality by Northern Ireland Water (NIW) a legal requirement. NIW already carries out this monitoring as good business practice;

take forward the water safety plan approach recommended by the World Health Organisation by widening the scope of risk assessment;

facilitate the identification of trends in raw water quality in a timely manner potentially enabling solutions, other than treatment, to be identified and implemented in line with Article 7 of the Water Framework Directive (WFD).

introduce additional enforcement powers in respect of water treatment.

Regional Development Minister, Conor Murphy, said: “The proposed regulations will strengthen the legislative framework under which NI Water operates and will help us to ensure that the water supplied to customers across the North is of the highest standard possible.”

The Drinking Water Inspectorate advises the Department on public drinking water quality and monitors NIW’s performance on its behalf.

The draft regulations have been published for a 12 week consultation period, ending on 13 February 2009. Copies of the draft Water Supply (Water Quality) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2009 are available on the Department for Regional Development website http://www.drdni.gov.uk/index/water_policy.htm.

Notes to Editors:

1. The existing regulatory requirements for public water quality are set out in the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations (NI) 2007. The proposed Water Supply (Water Quality) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2009 will make changes to these Regulations, not replace them.

2. The Water Framework Directive is a European Directive 2000/60/EC establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy.

3. The amendments take account of changes to European Directives, specifically, the replacement of the Surface Water Abstraction Directive with the Water Framework Directive.

4. Copies of the regulations draft can be obtained by contacting the Water Policy Division on 028 9054 2933. E-mail responses may be sent to: waterpolicy@drdni.gov.uk and comments may also be faxed to: 028 9054 7875.

5. Comments on the draft regulations may be submitted no later than 13 February 2009 to:

5. Media queries to: Press Office, Tel 028 9054 0887. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned