Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations

Requirements for quality of drinking water supplied by water companies

• Total Viable Count/Aerobic colony count A count of all the viable micro-organisms in a water sample.
• Coliforms/E. coli Coliforms are a family of bacteria of which E. coli is one species, associated with faecal contamination. Should be zero in drinking water
• Taste & Odour A panel of trained analysts will assess water samples for any taste or odour. A bacteriological sample must be tested prior to taste analysis.
• pH (Hydrogen ion) Measuring the level of acidity or alkalinity in a water sample
• Conductivity Gives an indication of the level of contamaination of a water sample due to presence of ions
• Bromate A by-product of chlorination or ozonation of water
• Potable water Total Viable Count at 22 & 37°C, Coliforms, E. coli, Enterococci, Cl. perfringens
• Anions Chloride, Fluoride, Nitrate, Sulphate, Nitrite, etc
• Metals Aluminium, Iron, Manganese, Copper, Nickel, Cadmium etc