Drinking water 2009

13/07/2010

The Drinking Water Inspectorate’s annual report covering the Central and Eastern regions is being launched today at a seminar hosted by the Consumer Council for Water’s Central and Eastern Committee.

The report confirms the continued good position in the Eastern region where few consumers report discoloured water with only 2,500 contacting companies in 2009, a rate of 0.3 people per 1,000 population.

In the Central region the situation is less favourable with more consumers continuing to report discoloured water, 8,800 or 1 in every thousand people.

Professor Colbourne, Chief Inspector of Drinking Water said “I am pleased to report that generally consumers confirm the good quality of their tap water but companies in the Central region need to ensure an appropriate level of ongoing maintenance”.

In 2009, the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) was recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a Collaborating Centre for issues relating to the safety of drinking water. This designation formalises the relationship that DWI has established with the World Health Organisation on drinking water standards, science and research.

Document	PDF
Drinking water 2009 - press release

Notes to editors

• The Drinking Water Inspectorate was set up in January 1990. Its main task is to check that water companies in England and Wales supply wholesome drinking water and in doing so comply with the requirements of the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2000.

• Companies supplying in the region
Central region comprises
Dwr Cymru Welsh Water (part of company’s area)
Severn Trent Water
South Staffordshire Water Eastern region comprises
Anglian Water
Cambridge Water
Essex and Suffolk Water
Independent Water Networks Ltd
Veolia Water East

• The Drinking Water Inspectorate’s report ‘Drinking Water 2009’ comprising six regional reports for England and a report for Wales and the Chief Inspector’s Letters to Ministers published on 1 July on the Drinking Water Inspectorate’s Website at http://www.dwi.gov.uk

• The report is being presented at a series of seminars hosted by the Consumer Council for Water in various venues in England and Wales between 6 and 14 July

• 6 July - Western region – Bristol
• 9 July – Northern region - Newcastle
• 12 July – Wales – Cardiff
• 13 July – Central and Eastern region – Huntingdon
• 14 July – Thames and Southern regions – London

Press contact : Sue Pennison - Contact via : 030 0068 6400

Drinking Water Inspectorate, 55 Whitehall, London, SW1A 2EY
Tel : 030 0068 6400 - E-mail: dwi.enquiries@defra.gsi.gov.uk