Public water supplies

Compliance

You can view current and historical reports on the compliance with the drinking water quality standards using the link below:-

• Compliance with drinking water quality standards in NI reports

The following Drinking Water Quality tables provide detail of individual water supply zones where full compliance with the regulatory standards has not been met.

• Drinking Water Quality Tables

Enforcement Policy

If Northern Ireland Water fails to meet the required standards, the DWI may take enforcement action as detailed in the Environment, Marine and Fisheries Group Enforcement Policy:-

• Environment, Marine and Fisheries Group Enforcement Policy

You can view Undertakings, agreed between NI Water and the Chief Inspector of Drinking Water, following enforcement action taken under Section 31(3)(a) of the Water Sewerage Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006. Current and historical documents can be viewed using the links below:

• Enforcement notices issued or closed in 2019
• Enforcement notices issued or closed in 2018
• Enforcement notices issued or closed in 2017
• Enforcement notices issued or closed in 2016
• Enforcement notices issued or closed in 2015
• Enforcement notices issued or closed in 2014

Legislation

The following legislation implements the requirements set out in the European Drinking Water Directive (98/83/EC), the amending Directive (EU) 2015/1787 which revised the monitoring and analysis requirements in Annex II and Annex III of Directive (98/83/EC), and Directive 2013/51/Euratom in respect of public drinking water supplies:

The Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017

DWI also has regulatory responsibilities for drinking water quality supplied, via a domestic distribution, to the public in premises such as schools, hospitals and restaurants under:

• The Water Supply (Domestic Distribution Systems) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010.

Guidance

• The contribution of Drinking Water Quality Regulations to the implementation of the Water Framework Directive in Northern Ireland
• Drinking Water and Health: a guide for public and environmental health professionals and for those in the water industry in Northern Ireland
• Looking after Water in your Home (.pdf 4.82MB)
• Guidance on the Notification of Events
• Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality
• Water Safety in Buildings 
• WaterSafe
• Guidance on implementing Regulation 30 of the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 - Risk Assessments
• Guidance and Information Requirements on Long Term Planning for Drinking Water Supplies in PC21

Directive (EU) 2015/1787

Directive (EU) 2015/1787 revised the monitoring and analysis requirements set out in Annex II and Annex III of the Drinking Water Directive. The Department is required to transpose the requirements of the Directive by 27 October 2017. A consultation paper on proposals to introduce new consolidated water quality regulations relating to the public drinking water supply in order to transpose the Directive was issued but is now closed to responses and a synopsis of responses has been published.

• Consultation on proposed consolidated public drinking water supplies regulations to transpose Directive (EU) 2015/1787
• Synopsis of responses received in respect of the consultation on proposals to make legislation in respect of the public drinking water supply in order to transpose Directive (EU) 2015/1787 and consolidate current legislation