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
New Architects Code comes into effect in September 2025
ARN Architects Code of Conduct and Practice available with ongoing consultation regarding guidance.
Welsh Skills Body (Medr) launches ambitious plan
The new skills body brings together funding and regulation of tertiary education and research for the devolved nation.
Paul Gandy FCIOB announced as next CIOB President
Former Tilbury Douglas CEO takes helm.
UK Infrastructure: A 10 Year Strategy. In brief with reactions
With the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA).
Ebenezer Howard: inventor of the garden city. Book review.
The Grenfell Tower fire, eight years on
A time to pause and reflect as Dubai tower block fire reported just before anniversary.
Airtightness Topic Guide BSRIA TG 27/2025
Explaining the basics of airtightness, what it is, why it's important, when it's required and how it's carried out.
Construction contract awards hit lowest point of 2025
Plummeting for second consecutive month, intensifying concerns for housing and infrastructure goals.
Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025
Examining the state of mental health in construction, shedding light on levels of stress, anxiety and depression.
The benefits of engaging with insulation manufacturers
When considering ground floor constructions.
Lighting Industry endorses Blueprint for Electrification
The Lighting Industry Association fully supports the ECA Blueprint as a timely, urgent call to action.
BSRIA Sentinel Clerk of Works Training Case Study
Strengthening expertise to enhance service delivery with integrated cutting-edge industry knowledge.
Impact report from the Supply Chain Sustainability School
Free sustainability skills, training and support delivered to thousands of UK companies to help cut carbon.
The Building Safety Forum at the Installershow 2025
With speakers confirmed for 24 June as part of Building Safety Week.
The UK’s largest air pollution campaign.
Future Homes Standard, now includes solar, but what else?
Will the new standard, due to in the Autumn, go far enough in terms of performance ?
BSRIA Briefing: Cleaner Air, Better tomorrow
A look back at issues relating to inside and outside air quality, discussed during the BSRIA briefing in 2023.
Restoring Abbotsford's hothouse
Bringing the writer Walter Scott's garden to life.
Reflections on the spending review with CIAT.