Drinking Water Inspectorate DWI
The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) 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.
DWI is authorised to enforce measures if standards are not being met. It can also take appropriate action when water is deemed unfit for human consumption.
Additional areas of responsibility include:
- Providing a technical audit of water companies operating practices.
- Assessing water company sampling programmes and results.
- Assessing incidents that could affect drinking water quality or sufficiency.
- Handling enquiries from the public.
- Investigating consumer complaints about drinking water quality.
- Managing water company programmes for improving drinking water quality (including the DWI’s input into the Ofwat periodic review of water prices).
- Managing the DWI’s scientific evidence and Defra’s water quality and health research programme.
- Managing product approvals.
- Managing industry data.
- Overseeing Local Authority enforcement of regulations for private water supplies.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- BS 8680:2020 Water quality. Water Safety Plans. Code of practice.
- Consumer Council for Water CCWater.
- Do our water quality standards demonstrate to the public that their water supply is clean?
- Drinking water quality.
- Drinking Water Quality Regulator for Scotland DWQR.
- Environment Agency.
- Incumbent water company v undertaker.
- Ofwat.
- Water safety plan WSP.
Featured articles and news
Future Homes Standard Essentials launched
Future Homes Hub launches new campaign to help the homebuilding sector prepare for the implementation of new building standards.
Building Safety recap February, 2026
Our regular run-down of key building safety related events of the month.
Planning reform: draft NPPF and industry responses.
Last chance to comment on proposed changes to the NPPF.
A Regency palace of colour and sensation. Book review.
Delayed, derailed and devalued
How the UK’s planning crisis is undermining British manufacturing.
How much does it cost to build a house?
A brief run down of key considerations from a London based practice.
The need for a National construction careers campaign
Highlighted by CIOB to cut unemployment, reduce skills gap and deliver on housing and infrastructure ambitions.
AI-Driven automation; reducing time, enhancing compliance
Sustainability; not just compliance but rethinking design, material selection, and the supply chains to support them.
Climate Resilience and Adaptation In the Built Environment
New CIOB Technical Information Sheet by Colin Booth, Professor of Smart and Sustainable Infrastructure.
Turning Enquiries into Profitable Construction Projects
Founder of Develop Coaching and author of Building Your Future; Greg Wilkes shares his insights.
IHBC Signpost: Poetry from concrete
Scotland’s fascinating historic concrete and brutalist architecture with the Engine Shed.
Demonstrating that apprenticeships work for business, people and Scotland’s economy.
Scottish parents prioritise construction and apprenticeships
CIOB data released for Scottish Apprenticeship Week shows construction as top potential career path.
From a Green to a White Paper and the proposal of a General Safety Requirement for construction products.
Creativity, conservation and craft at Barley Studio. Book review.
The challenge as PFI agreements come to an end
How construction deals with inherited assets built under long-term contracts.
Skills plan for engineering and building services
Comprehensive industry report highlights persistent skills challenges across the sector.
Choosing the right design team for a D&B Contract
An architect explains the nature and needs of working within this common procurement route.
Statement from the Interim Chief Construction Advisor
Thouria Istephan; Architect and inquiry panel member outlines ongoing work, priorities and next steps.
























