What areas of water quality do Environmental Health Officers look at?

Private Water Supplies: For those who extract their private water supply from boreholes.

Bathing waters: to include swimming pools at leisure centres, Jacuzzis, hydrotherapy pools.

Mains Water: To include Manufacturers of foods and drinks as well as occasionally looking at domestic supply.

We have a number of domestic and commercial private water supplies in the district where we are the responsible authority for monitoring their quality both microbiologically (bacteria) and chemically (e.g. pesticides)
The legislation we use is made under the Water Industry Act 1991 and is called the Private Water Supplies Regulations 1991. This tells us what the standards of the water should be and how often we have to test the water depending upon its use.

We are responsible for checking the quality of all our swimming pools in the district to include leisure centres, private health clubs, hotels and out door pools, hospital hydrotherapy pools, Jacuzzis and paddling pools.
We check these on a monthly basis for chemical levels as well as yearly for microbiological quality (bacteria) unless there is a complaint or a problem with the chemical tests, in which case the frequency will be increased.

We also examine the quality of the mains water in our food manufacturers to includebreweries and other food industries. We may occasionally become involved in the testing of domestic mains water in addition to the statutory water undertaker (Three Valleys Water)

Further information on the mains water supply can be gained by contacting Three Valleys Water or by visiting their web site on www.3valleys.co.uk

In addition, the Drinking Water Inspectorate, who are the national body for ensuring the quality of water, provide an annual publication titled "How Good is Your Drinking Water"

Q: I have a private water supply, what should I do?

A: Contact us on 01727 819450 and we will give you advice on the supply and ask you to complete a registration form. You will also need to contact the Environment Agency (01707 632300) for information on abstraction from the ground water source.

Q: My tap water is cloudy?

A: Contact Three Valleys Water who will be able to advise and provide support.
0345 823333.

Q: My tap water has black bits in it?

A: This is probably due to your pipe work in the house. Any pipes that are in your house are your responsibility, Three Valleys Water can provide you with useful advice.

We have some information leaflets on infections that may be caught through water, these include untreated water and are usually found from travel abroad or if in contact with raw water sources such as lakes, streams, ponds.

• Weils Disease
• Giardia lamblia
• Cryptosporidium

Drinking Water Inspectorate: How Good is the Drinking Water (can order from us on line or the DWI e-mail at: dwi_enquiries@detr.gov.uk)

Environmental Health: 01727 819450

Three Valleys Water: 0345 823333 or at www.3valleys.co.uk

Drinking Water Inspectorate: www.dwi.detr.gov.uk

British Water: 0207 957 4554

The Pool Water Treatment Advisory Group: 01379 783678

The Environment Agency: www.environment-agency.gov.uk