Drinking water quality
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
The term ‘potable water’ refers to water that is safe for humans to drink. This may be referred to as ‘drinking water’.
The term ‘water quality’ refers to the chemical, physical and biological composition of water in relation to the use that it is intended for.
[edit] England and Wales
Drinking water quality is overseen in England and Wales by the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI). The Drinking Water Inspectorate is part of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). It was formed in 1990 to provide independent assurance that water supplies in England and Wales are safe and that drinking water quality is acceptable to consumers.
Issues with drinking water quality should be reported to water companies unless it is privately supplied. In those instances, problems should be reported to the environmental health department of the local council.
In England and Wales, drinking water quality standards include wide safety margins for:
- Micro-organisms.
- Chemicals such as nitrates and pesticides.
- Metals such as lead and copper.
- The way water looks and how it tastes.
[edit] Scotland
The Scottish counterpart to the DWI is the Drinking Water Quality Regulator for Scotland (DWQR).
In Scotland, the quality of drinking water is tested against 10 key parameters:
- Coliforms.
- E.coli.
- Iron.
- Turbidity.
- Manganese.
- Lead.
- Hydrogen Ion (pH).
- Colour.
- Aluminium.
- Trihalomethanes (THMs).
Local water can be checked on the Scottish Water Website.
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