An expert advisory group to the Drinking Water Inspectorate has recommended a series of updates to the list of regulatory parameters used to measure drinking water quality and safeguard public health. These are shown in the table.
The recommendations are made to chief inspector Marcus Rink to consider and to make recommendations to ministers for legislative updates.
The group was assembled after Brexit to ensure drinking water quality standards are reviewed to remain relevant. It looked at the scientific evidence, including toxicology and potential occurrence in drinking water supplies, of 15 parameters including lead and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The review considered the addition, removal, tightening and relaxation of these parameters to protect public health, and took international regulatory approaches into account when evaluating the most appropriate options.
The group also recommended a legislative requirement is introduced to mandate the regular periodic review of drinking water standards in England and Wales, for the ongoing protection of public health and to promote public confidence. This would provide equivalence to Article 20 of the EU Drinking Water Directive.
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