Drinking Water Quality

The Private Water Supplies Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1994 transposed EC Directive 80/778/EEC into domestic legislation ensuring the provision of a wholesome water supply for drinking purposes and food and beverage manufacture.

In 1998 EC Directive 98/83/EC was issued setting new and revised standards for drinking water quality. The Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 transposed the Directive into domestic legislation in respect of public water supplies. Draft Private Water Supplies Regulations (Northern Ireland) will transpose the Directive (98/83/EC) into domestic legislation in respect of private water supplies. The objective of this Directive is to protect human health from adverse effects resulting from the contamination of water intended for human consumption. It sets new standards for water intended for drinking, cooking, food preparation or other domestic purposes, regardless of origin and whether it is supplied from a distribution network, from a tanker, or in bottles or containers. The new standards also apply to commercial premises and to water used in food production unless it cannot affect the wholesomeness of the food stuff in its finished form. Northern Ireland legislation can be found on the Office of Public Sector Information website

Further information on drinking water quality can be found in the Northern Ireland Drinking Water Inspectorate’s Annual Reports