Water Quality

Drinking Water - Private Supplies

Under the Private Water Supply Regulations 1991, there is a duty on Local Authorities to ensure that the quality of water from private supplies serving domestic or commercial premises is 'wholesome', meeting certain quality standards. These regulations were passed under the European Union Directive 80/778/EC. Directive 98/83/EC is an update of the original directive and states that all supplies should be compliant by Dec 25th 2003.  

Sampling  

To ensure the wholesome quality of the water, samples of water are taken in accordance with the category of supply and analysed. Standards are measured against a set of acceptable microbiological and chemical parameters.  

Enforcement    

If a sample fails or exceeds against any of the measured parameters then steps must be taken by the property owner or proprietor to rectify the problem. If the problem is not remedied then the Local Authority may implement the necessary remedial measures, recovering the costs from the property owner or proprietor. In situations where public health is under serious threat e.g. hazardous contamination of supplies used for commercial food preparation, we aim to act promptly to minimise the associated risk.  

If you would like to view the public register for private water supplies.

If you have a private water supply and would like it added to our register so that it may be tested.

For further information contact:

Customer Services on 01462 611222 or 08452 304040  

Useful Links

Office of Public Sector Information 

Department of the Environment, Food and Rural affairs (DEFRA)

Drinking Water Inspectorate

Water Pollution/ recreational Waters

The Environment Agency is responsible for maintaining or improving the quality of fresh, marine, surface and underground water in England and Wales. The Agency aim to prevent or reduce the risk of water pollution wherever possible, and to ensure that it gets cleaned up if pollution occurs that might lead to effects on people or ecosystems.  

Further information on the activities and specific responsibilities of the Environment Agency with regard to watercourse/recreational water quality

Although the Environment Agency have overall responsibility for recreational waters. In instances where blooms of blue/green algae grow, Mid Beds District Council respond to protect public health by notifying the public. This is usually done by placing signs at any affected water body warning of the dangers of swimming in/using such waters.    

Further information on blue/green algal blooms and the health effects of blooms of this nature

Swimmming Pools

There are a number of swimming pools in the Mid Beds area, both private and public. Mid Beds District Council samples ten swimming pools on a monthly basis to ensure that pools are managed correctly and that the swimming pool water quality is of a high standard. 

If any problems are found with the quality of swimming pool water than advice is given to swimming pool managers to ensure safe swimming for pool users. If problems continue then these are referred to Health and Safety employees at Mid Beds District Council for them to investigate and take appropriate action.  

To view the register of swimming pools which Environmental Services monitor please click on the appropriate download on this page.

For information on any aspect of swimming pool water quality, treatment or design then please click here.

Please click here if you would like to make a complaint or request a service on-line