Monitoring & Digital

    Water Quality Testing and Monitoring

    Find the right water quality testing and monitoring partner for your project. Aguato connects procurement teams, project engineers, and sustainability managers with verified providers worldwide. Browse the listings below, or post your project to receive tailored proposals directly from matched suppliers.

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    Roperhurst Limited logo

    Roperhurst Limited

    United Kingdom

    Roperhurst: a UK in-house designer, manufacturer and installer of fume and odour control treatment plant and equipment, chemical storage vessels, dosing and delivery systems. Since 1976 Roperhurst has worked with a range of customers, big and small, global and local, on specialist plastic and environmental engineering projects. Roperhurst is quality certified to ISO9001:2015, SSIP approved and a long-standing member of BESA. Fume/odour: Roperhurst delivers a comprehensive proven range of solutions including catalytic iron filters, carbon absorbers, bio-filters, bio-scrubbers, biogas and chemical scrubbers. Utilising either organic or synthetic media filled units, all designed and built at our UK manufacturing facility, and each offering a green, smart and simple-to-operate solution to your fume, odour and VOC problems. Chemical storage/dosing/delivery: Roperhurst offers bespoke tanks and vessels for the safe long-term storage of chemicals, each specifically matched to meet your individual needs. Additionally, we fabricate and install dosing cabinets and day tanks with dual containment delivery pipework, all designed to dispense chemicals safely to the point of consumption. Delivery ductwork: Plastic ductwork for dealing with fume/odours created by chemical, biological or radiological processes have a high level of inherent risk.  This means that you need assurance that the ductwork will be fabricated correctly and installed competently. The UK standard for fabrication and installation of plastic ductwork is DW154, published by BESA, the Building Engineering Services Association (formerly HVCA).  Roperhurst is a UK market leader in this field: Roperhurst’s founder, Graham Handley, chaired the HVCA committee that wrote the 1st edition of DW154 in 2000. Roperhurst continues to work closely with BESA to improve standards. Roperhurst, as a BESA plastic ductwork specialist, ensures that our manufacturing and site work is regularly audited by external specialists to ensure that our work meets all current standards. Roperhurst is one of the few plastic ductwork specialists with its own in-house fibreglass division and specialist installation and testing teams. At Roperhurst we don’t need to rely on sub-contractors to produce elements of the project, which can be a cause of quality and compliance issues. Our plastics fabricator welders are time served and certified to BS EN 13067, and our laminators have been assessed under BS 4994.

    Designers
    SEEPEX UK Ltd logo

    SEEPEX UK Ltd

    United Kingdom

    SEEPEX is a leading worldwide specialist in the design, manufacture and application of progressive cavity pumps, macerators and digital solutions which optimise uptime and reduce downtime to give an optimal TOTEX solution. Our products and expertise are applied in most applications in the wastewater industry wherever thin to highly viscous and high % DS media is conveyed. Each solution is custom-configured to suit our customers’ requirements. Pump Technology 4.0 SEEPEX Digital Solutions incorporating the Pump Monitor turn the progressive cavity pump into an intelligent field device, operating in a networked system of smart products, services and processes. SEEPEX cloud-based service provides online remote monitoring and management of the pumps and process. Data collection and advanced analytics enable process and pump optimisation and reduce inspection, downtime and operating costs, facilitating predictive maintenance and timely delivery of spare parts to improve overall equipment and plant efficiency. Unlocking the Power of Digital Our latest innovation, the most intelligent progressive cavity pump in the world, allows remote adjustment to maintain pump performance without onsite manual intervention. With SEEPEX unique SCT AutoAdjust technology, combined with our digital solutions, site visits for maintenance are eliminated and access to otherwise hard to reach pump installations can be carried out remotely. Energy Efficient Long Distance Pumping of Dewatered Sludge Our dewatered sludge handling solutions include Smart Air Injection (SAI) technology, an energy efficient system delivering energy savings of approximately 40% by combining a progressive cavity pump with pneumatic dense phase conveying to transport 14-40% DS sludge over long distances up to 1,000 meters. This alternative to conventional technologies has proven to significantly reduce operational (energy, spare parts and downtime) and total investment costs. Patented Solutions for Smart Maintenance. Fast and Simple. SEEPEX continues to extend its world class portfolio of maintain-in-place technologies for pumps with capacities up to 300m3/hr and 48 bar, able to handle flowable to highly viscous products with a high % DS content. The new patented BNM range has been designed to simplify customers’ maintenance and can reduce maintenance time by up to 80% with a significant reduction in related costs. SEEPEX latest ease of maintenance solution for big pumps complements our Smart Conveying Technology (SCT), launched in 2008 and still setting standards in the maintenance of smaller standard progressive cavity pumps, and Drive Joint Access (DJA) technology for open hopper pumps. All of these patented solutions increase uptime and plant availability.

    Renewables & Energy Management
    Chemical Dosing
    SILOTANK logo

    SILOTANK

    United Kingdom

    From industrial water tanks to turnkey odour control systems, we are the only UK manufacturers to offer 3 axis helical filament winding, providing high quality plastic storage tanks to the water and waste, microelectronics, chemical, pharmaceutical, paper & pulp, food processing, drinks and brewery industries. We are a leading manufacturer in the UK and Ireland for chemical, liquid and drinking water storage tanks, bunded storage tanks, process vessels, pressure vessels and environmental systems. Flexible in our approach to business and providing strong technical support, we are dedicated to supplying our customers the high quality product and service that you would expect from a market leader in specialist tanks. We manufacture to design standards BS4994:1987 , BS EN ISO 12573 & DVS2205 using FDA, WRAS and DWI approved materials. Our extensive ‘in house’ capabilities include mechanical engineering design along with chemical process design these activities are supported by a CAD network operating with AutoCAD 2D & Solid Works 3D software, FEA & Laminate Theory Analysis offering clients a complete service. We are innovative and continue to advance using the latest technology and materials used within the industry and have installed a CNC router and laser machine to support business development. RANGE OF EQUIPMENT & SERVICES OFFERED Storage, mixing and process tanks/vessels. Ranging in capacities from 50 litres to 200,000 litres. Tanks are manufactured using a variety of thermoplastics and GRP materials to suit the particular application including HDPE, polypropylene, UPVC/GRP (Aqua Pure – WRAS approved), polypropylene/GRP. The majority of our products are ‘bespoke’ designed and manufactured to suit the clients specific application. Odour and chemical fume scrubbing towers. Our ‘bespoke’ design and manufacture odour or chemical fume abatement equipment to suit most environmental applications. Our site teams are fully trained and able to complete on site installation within Ireland & UK including offloading, positioning, bolting down, assembly of any ancillary access steelwork as well as thermoplastic pipework and ductwork installations.

    Accreditations
    Technocover Ltd logo

    Technocover Ltd

    United Kingdom

    Technocover is an approved ISO 14001:2004 Environmental and ISO 9001:2008 Quality Accredited Company, dedicated to the Design, Manufacture, Installation and Maintenance of Physical Security Access Solutions for protection to all industrial sectors. Our extensive in-house design and manufacturing facilities are home to well established research and development unit and comprehensive testing facility. Our commercial offices incorporate our design team who utilise the latest computer aided design technology and work alongside our dedicated planning section who oversee everything from surveying, scheduling and contract reviews, to the management of framework agreements. We have been designing and manufacturing innovative steel products since 1993. In that time, through organic growth, planned expansion and acquisition, we have gained a reputation as the UK’s leading supplier of Physical Steel Security Access Products. We have a range of aperture security solutions for virtually every application, establishments in the UK and overseas have sought our expertise in providing security products for asset protection. We operate a Total Service Philosophy and can handle complete projects from site survey to final installation, whether for new or refurbishing projects, the adaptability of our galvanised steel access products means the most complex design criteria can be met. Our range of high quality access products offer custom built operational and security solutions to prevent unauthorised persons gaining access, securing key assets against all levels of trespass, malicious vandalism, theft, extortion, contamination or terrorism. Many of our access system products have been tested and approved by the Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB)  to LPS 1175 issue 5 or above, Security Rating Levels 2, 3, 4 or 5. Frameworks We hold both exclusive and shared framework agreements with most of the major UK water companies. Framework Security items include: LPCB Level 2 Universal Gas Cylinder Clamps LPCB Level 3 Mesh Cage Systems LPCB Level 3 Flush Access Covers LPCB Level 4 Upstand Access Covers LPCB Level 4 Padlockable Access Doors LPCB Level 4 Key Entry Doors LPCB Level 4 Enclosures/Kiosks/Cabinets LPCB Level 4 Walk-In Modular Buildings LPCB Level 4 Window Bar Sets LPCB Level 5 Louvres

    Security Solutions
    Asset Maintenance & Rehabilitation
    Waterco logo

    Waterco

    United Kingdom

    Waterco are engineering and environmental consultants providing design and consultancy services relating to water, drainage and flood risk. We have expertise in engineering and environmental disciplines and are supplemented by a network of specialist independent consultants with extensive experience in major development projects throughout the UK. Our focus is on achieving the optimum solution for our clients, meeting their objectives and adding value to their projects. We have gained a reputation for a friendly, professional and flexible approach since our establishment in 1990. Our Services Water industry infrastructure and non-infrastructure projects Pipelines & Sewerage Water & Wastewater Treatment & Systems Pumping Stations Contingency Planning Security Assessments Asset Management Surge Analysis Hydraulic Modelling Flood Risk Assessment Breach Analysis Coastal & Shoreline Analysis Surface Water Management Sustainable Drainage Systems Natural Flood Management/Catchment Approaches Clients and Partners Our clients and partners include water companies, consultants and contractors. Incorporating their experience and knowledge, we investigate and develop practical designs, to help deliver cost-effective solutions. Geographic Coverage We undertake projects all across the UK, with many of our reporting services being desk-based, travelling to site visits and meetings as required. We have also been involved in international projects such as a major development in Lekki, Nigeria. Accreditations We currently have an ISO 9001 : 2015 accredited Quality Management System; have a BS8555 : 2003 certified Environmental Management System; have design approval in the Water Industry Registration Scheme (WIRS); have maintained Investors in People recognition since 2011 and operate an ICE approved training scheme.

    Designers
    Western Carbons Ltd logo

    Western Carbons Ltd

    United Kingdom

    Western Carbons is the leading producer of anthracite filter media in the UK. All our products are produced and certificated to the DIN and European standards and our quality control is audited to ISO 9001:2000. As a company we provide a total filter servicing package which includes: Filter investigations Filter media testing Filter media supply and installation Filter refurbishments, RGF’s, slow sand filters and pressure filters Monolithic floor design and construction Filter media washing Wastewater filter refurbishment Western Carbons have developed an in-house filter media pumping system which provides a clean, quick and economical method of filter media installation. If required, we can recycle the water used for the installation of the filter media. By eliminating, in many cases, the need to transport the media in bulk plastic bags we provide a means of actually reducing our carbon footprint, not just saying that this is our intent.

    Treatment Process Technologies
    Circle Control logo

    Circle Control

    United Kingdom

    Established in 1995, Circle Control part of the Empower Group, is a trusted electrical contracting company based in Snaith, near Selby. For over 30 years, we’ve been delivering LV electrical installation solutions across the utility and renewable energy sectors, combining technical expertise with an unwavering commitment to safety, quality, and environmental responsibility. Originally focused on the Water Industry, we’ve since expanded into Renewable Energy, supporting clients on the UK’s journey towards a more sustainable and resilient future. Our approach is straightforward, cost-effective, compliant, and built on decades of engineering know how. We are NICEIC approved, ISO 9001 accredited with Citation, and proud members of the Achilles Utilities Vendor Database (UVDB) and Constructionline. Our skilled team holds a wide range of industry certifications, including CSCS/ECS, EUSR, Confined Space, Compex, Asbestos Awareness, First Aid, PASMA, and IPAF, ensuring safe, compliant delivery across every project. As part of the Empower Group, we’re proud to combine long standing technical excellence with a forward-looking focus on innovation and sustainability, helping clients reduce environmental impact, improve operational efficiency, and future-proof their infrastructure.

    Networks - Sewerage
    Contractors
    Geotechnics logo

    Geotechnics

    United Kingdom

    Geotechnics are one of the UKs largest independent Ground Investigation contractors employing over 100 people across our four offices in Leeds, Chester, Coventry and Exeter covering projects throughout the UK matching the right equipment and experienced personnel for each project wherever the project may be. Established in 1983 we provide the full spectrum of geotechnical investigation and advisory services to the water industry delivering innovative, award winning, quality and environment assured, sustainable solutions based on a culture of ongoing training, innovation and investment in our personnel and partnering with our wide client base.  With 40 years of experience, it is easy to see why we are the Ground Investigation Specialist of choice to the Water Industry. Working on pipelines, outfalls and pumping stations, whether it’s onshore, offshore or nearshore and delivering multi-million pound GI’s, we have gained industry-leading knowledge about the challenges of the sector, from early engagement and collaboration, stakeholder engagement and environmental protection to difficult access. We are experienced in getting drilling rigs and engineers into difficult locations; dam walls (helicopter and crane lifts), beaches, tidal mudflats, jack-up platforms, national parks, towns, villages and cities. We are keen to get involved in project discussions as soon as possible to better understand the aims and goals of the project, stakeholder expectations and to help advise on the most appropriate ground investigation techniques to deploy and any special access/environmental sensitivities that may exist. We are key members of the AGS and hold UVDB for the water industry, hold Constructionline Gold accreditation, are successfully accredited for CyberEssentials and we have completed, and received the certificate for, the social value question set on Constructionline.

    Mapping & Modelling
    M&J Drilling Services Ltd logo

    M&J Drilling Services Ltd

    United Kingdom

    M&J Drilling Services was founded in 1982 to offer specialist contracting services in the investigation and stabilisation of mine workings and mineshafts, concentrating its activities in the South Staffordshire Coalfield. It has grown steadily, investing heavily to provide state-of-the-art drilling rigs and associated equipment, and now operates nationally from its base in the West Midlands. The company focuses its operations on the development and delivery of geotechnical solutions to various ground problems. The main activities of the company are drilling (rotary and rotary percussive) and grouting, and the following list gives details of the various applications we undertake: Rotary investigation by open hole and core drilling techniques. Stabilisation of shallow mine workings (drilling and pressure grouting). Soil nails & ground anchors – to improve slope/ embankment stability. Other underground stabilisation work (e.g. cellars and former gas tank infilling). Mineshaft location and treatment. Void infilling (large mine workings). Sewer, tunnel and pipeline annulus grouting. Health & Safety The Company has always operated with great regard to the Health & Safety of its employees, particularly in view of the inherently hazardous working environment, the operation of powerful and potentially dangerous plant and of our intention to maintain long-term continuity of service in a stable workforce. Contract Record Customers range from householders requiring a couple of boreholes prior to building house extensions, through to national house builders, local authorities and major civil engineering contractors. The value of contracts can be £1500 up to £5 million and can last from a day to several years. Average turnover in recent years has been in excess of £7 Million per annum. The Company has always been proud of its commitment to quality and its reputation for professionalism in the industry. We gained accreditation to ISO 9001:2008 and to Constructionline in categories comprising: Site investigation. Anchors. Soil nails. Ground stabilisation. Deep grouting. We aim to develop strong relationships with both consultants and developers and are proud of the fact that over recent years, 85% of each year’s turnover has been with clients who we have worked with in previous years.

    Accreditations
    Geotechnical Drilling

    Water Quality Testing and Monitoring: Analytical Methods, Accreditation, and Compliance Sampling

    Water quality testing and monitoring encompasses laboratory analysis, field sampling, and continuous online monitoring to characterise source water, verify treatment performance, and demonstrate regulatory compliance. UK drinking water regulatory monitoring is prescribed by the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2016 (England) and equivalent Regulations in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland; monitoring requirements are set by the DWI (Drinking Water Inspectorate) through water company monitoring programmes; parameters monitored include: microbiological (E. coli, total coliforms, Clostridium perfringens, Cryptosporidium oocyst count, enterococci, colony counts at 22 and 37 degrees C); chemical (turbidity, colour, pH, conductivity, TOC, THMs, nitrate, nitrite, lead, copper, iron, manganese, fluoride, aluminium, bromide, chloride, sulphate, sodium, ammonium, pesticides, PAHs, PFAS); radiological (tritium, total indicative dose); sampling locations: source water, at treatment works, and at a statistical sample of consumer taps (DWI sampling protocol: random daytime sampling (RDS); fixed point sampling; regulatory tap samples tested at EA/DWI accredited laboratory). Laboratory accreditation: UKAS ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation is required for all laboratories analysing drinking water samples for regulatory purposes in the UK; UKAS schedule of accredited testing includes all methods used (APHA Standard Methods, ISO methods, BS EN methods, EA Method UK); EA works with MCERTS (Monitoring Certification Scheme) for environmental water analysis; MCERTS accreditation covers: water quality parameters (ISO 17025); continuous emission monitoring systems (CEMS); soil analysis.

    Analytical methods for key water quality parameters: microbiological: E. coli and total coliforms by membrane filtration (BS EN ISO 9308-1; Colilert-18 defined substrate method; incubation 37 degrees C, 18 hours; reading MPN or colony count); Cryptosporidium oocyst detection by US EPA Method 1623.1 or BS EN 14764 (12 to 24 L sample through membrane filter; immunomagnetic separation (IMS); immunofluorescence assay (IFA) with DAPI and DIC microscopy; confirmation of oocysts by morphology and fluorescence; detection limit 0.01 to 0.1 oocysts/L); chemical trace organics: THMs (chloroform, bromoform, BDCM, DBCM) by EPA Method 524.3 or ISO 11423-1 (headspace GC-MS; detection limit 0.1 to 1 ug/L; UK regulatory standard: THM sum 100 ug/L); pesticides (triazines, organophosphates, chlorophenoxy herbicides) by EPA Method 8270 or EN 12823 (GC-MS or LC-MS/MS after liquid-liquid extraction; detection limit 0.01 to 0.1 ug/L; UK PCV 0.1 ug/L individual, 0.5 ug/L sum); PFAS by EPA Method 537.1 or ISO 21675 (solid phase extraction (SPE) concentration; LC-MS/MS quantification; detection limit 0.1 to 1 ng/L for each PFAS; sum 22 PFAS UK standard 100 ng/L); heavy metals (Pb, Cu, Ni, Cr, Cd, As) by EPA Method 200.8 or EN ISO 17294-2 (ICP-MS; detection limit 0.01 to 0.1 ug/L; UK lead standard 10 ug/L; WHO guideline 10 ug/L); online continuous: turbidimeters (ISO 7027; 850 nm LED; 0.001 to 1,000 NTU; at filter outlets and distribution); free chlorine residual (amperometric or DPD colorimetric; 4 to 20 mA output to SCADA; 0.05 to 2.0 mg/L Cl2 range; DWI minimum 0.1 mg/L free chlorine at service reservoirs).

    Environmental water monitoring: EA and SEPA monitor surface water quality under the Water Framework Directive (WFD) / Environmental Targets (Water) Regulations 2022 to assess ecological and chemical status (good ecological status target for all water bodies by 2027); WFD monitoring types: surveillance monitoring (representative water body sites; annual sampling for all priority substances; 3 to 6 year cycle); operational monitoring (water bodies at risk of failing objectives; higher frequency, targeted to pressures); investigative monitoring (where causes of failure are unknown). MCERTS-certified automatic water quality monitoring stations (AWQMS) on rivers measure online: dissolved oxygen (DO, optical sensor, 0 to 20 mg/L), temperature, pH, conductivity, turbidity, ammonia (ion-selective electrode or spectrophotometric), nitrate (UV absorbance at 220 nm), TOC/DOC (UV-persulphate oxidation); data transmitted to EA WISKI or Hydstra LIMS every 15 minutes. Groundwater monitoring: EA Groundwater Level (GWL) network of approximately 5,000 dip wells and pressure transducer loggers (hourly or daily frequency); groundwater quality chemistry monitoring at EA compliance sites: quarterly for nitrates and pesticides; six-monthly for metals and VOCs; annual for PFAS (expanding monitoring under EA Groundwater Protection Policy 2022). ISO/IEC 17025 calibration: all field instruments (dissolved oxygen probes, pH meters, conductivity meters, turbidimeters) must be calibrated at defined intervals using UKAS-traceable calibration standards; calibration records maintained for 7 years (DWI requirement); field blanks and duplicates taken as QA/QC evidence.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How often is UK tap water tested and what is measured?

    UK tap water testing frequency is prescribed by the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2016 (England) and equivalent regulations in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Monitoring frequency depends on the population served by the water supply zone (WSZ): small zones (less than 100 properties): some parameters tested monthly; large zones (greater than 500,000 population): some parameters daily. Key monitoring categories and frequencies: (1) Microbiological: E. coli and total coliforms at treatment works and in distribution: at least weekly for zones greater than 10,000 population; turbidity at all treatment works: continuous (online turbidimeter); Cryptosporidium: continuous monitoring at all treatment works abstracting surface water or groundwater under the direct influence of surface water (GWUDI); (2) Physical/chemical: colour, turbidity, conductivity, pH: minimum weekly in distribution; THMs, aluminium, iron, manganese, nitrate: monthly in distribution for large zones; annually for small zones; (3) Extended parameters (pesticides, PFAS, PAHs, heavy metals including lead at consumer taps): lead tested under the regulatory tap sampling programme (random daytime sampling (RDS) at consumer properties; minimum number of samples per zone determined by DWI; any result greater than 10 ug/L Pb triggers investigation and action); (4) Taste and odour: no numerical regulatory standard; DWI requires 'taste and odour acceptable'; tested by trained panel (ISO 8586 sensory assessors) or consumer complaint response. All results reported in water companies' annual monitoring returns to DWI; DWI publishes summary in annual Drinking Water Quality in England report; any serious event or breach of PCV (Prescribed Concentration or Value) must be reported to DWI within 30 days.

    What laboratory accreditation is required for water testing in the UK?

    UKAS ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation (UKAS, UK Accreditation Service, the national accreditation body for the UK) is the primary accreditation required for laboratories carrying out regulatory water quality testing. Scope: UKAS accreditation covers specific analytical methods for specific matrices (e.g. 'determination of E. coli and total coliforms in drinking water by membrane filtration (BS EN ISO 9308-1:2014+A1:2017)'); laboratories must demonstrate competence in each accredited method through: proficiency testing (PT) schemes (WaterPT, Food and Environment Research Agency FAPAS, RSSL PT scheme; laboratories must perform satisfactorily in PT rounds, typically bi-annual participation; z-score less than 2.0 for 95 percent of results); internal quality control (IQC: blank, duplicate, and spiked sample analysis on each analytical batch; control charts maintained; action limits and warning limits); method validation documentation; equipment calibration traceable to SI units (UKAS-traceable calibration from NPL National Physical Laboratory standards); staff competence assessment. EA MCERTS: Environment Agency Monitoring Certification Scheme; additional to ISO 17025 for environmental monitoring; MCERTS certification required for: drinking water treatment chemical analysis; effluent analysis for Environmental Permit compliance reporting; continuous emissions monitoring. Accreditation schedule: UKAS laboratory schedule lists every accredited test by method reference (BS EN ISO, EPA, APHA Standard Methods) and includes scope limitations; check at ukas.com/find-an-accreditation-body/accredited-organisations. DWI requirement: companies must use UKAS-accredited laboratories for all regulatory monitoring under the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2016; non-accredited laboratories may be used for operational monitoring (non-regulatory) but results cannot be used for DWI compliance reporting.

    What online water quality monitoring instruments are used in treatment works?

    Online continuous water quality monitoring instruments at drinking water treatment works and distribution systems: (1) Turbidimeters: 90-degree scattered light at 850 nm LED (ISO 7027:2016); Hach 1720E (low range 0 to 1 NTU for filter effluents, alarm at 0.2 NTU per DWI guidance), TurbiMax W by Endress+Hauser, Partech SE500; calibrated with Formazin primary standard (AMCO-AEPA secondary standard); DWI requires turbidity less than 0.1 NTU (100 percentile) and less than 1 NTU (99th percentile) at treatment works outlet for surface water sources. (2) pH: glass electrode combination sensor (Endress+Hauser CPS11D, Mettler Toledo InPro4010SG; range pH 0 to 14; ATEX-rated versions available; calibrated with two NIST buffer solutions (pH 4.01 and pH 7.00); DWI pH 6.5 to 9.5 in distribution). (3) Free chlorine residual: Hach CL17sc (amperometric, 0.01 to 5.00 mg/L Cl2; calibrated vs DPD colorimetric in-situ); BTG Mutek Chlorotrend (electrochemical, low maintenance); required continuous at all service reservoirs (DWI: minimum 0.1 mg/L free Cl2). (4) UV254 absorbance: Hach UVAS sc; measured as specific UV absorbance (SUVA = UV254/DOC); surrogate for NOM and treatment efficiency; Endress+Hauser SpectraSensors UV sensor; alarmed if UV254 rises (indicates NOM breakthrough or process failure). (5) Conductivity: inductive conductivity sensor (Endress+Hauser Indumax CLS50, no electrodes, no fouling; 0.01 to 2,000 mS/cm). (6) Dissolved oxygen: optical (luminescence quenching, LDO): Hach LDO2 (0 to 20 mg/L; no membrane replacement; ATEX option); used in biological treatment and reservoir monitoring. (7) Ammonia (NH4+): ion-selective electrode (ISE) or photometric (indophenol blue): Hach Amtax sc (0.01 to 1.0 mg/L NH4-N), Endress+Hauser Liquiline system CA80AM; alarmed for breakthrough of ammonium from source water or biological instability.

    What is the difference between regulatory and operational water quality monitoring?

    Regulatory monitoring is the programme of sampling and analysis required by law to demonstrate compliance with the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2016 (drinking water) or Environmental Permit (wastewater). Characteristics: specified parameters, locations, frequency, and methods defined by regulation; must use UKAS ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory; results reported to DWI (drinking water) or EA (wastewater); any exceedance of a Prescribed Concentration or Value (PCV) is a legal breach requiring DWI notification within 30 days; water company liable to enforcement action if regulatory limits exceeded (DWI can issue undertakings, DWI notices, or refer to criminal prosecution for persistent failures; maximum fine unlimited under Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016). Operational monitoring (also called process monitoring or in-house monitoring): carried out by the water company to optimise process performance, detect trends, and respond early before a problem affects regulatory compliance; higher frequency than regulatory; may use non-accredited methods (rapid field test kits, online instruments); does not need to use UKAS-accredited laboratory; results not submitted to regulator (but may be reviewed in DWI audits); examples: hourly turbidity at each filter outlet (detect breakthrough immediately); daily chlorine residual checks at multiple distribution points; weekly jar tests for coagulation optimisation; monthly chemical dosing stock checks. Risk-based monitoring: Drinking Water Safety Plans (DWSPs), required by DWI under the WHO Water Safety Plan approach (WSP, WHO 2009), require each water company to conduct hazard analysis and risk assessment of all catchment-to-tap steps; monitoring (regulatory and operational) is designed to verify control measures at critical control points (CCPs); the DWSP approach allows the combined regulatory and operational monitoring to be designed as an integrated system.

    Case Study·Drinking water quality compliance and monitoring
    Challenge

    A water company in the North West supplying 120,000 properties from a surface reservoir source experienced 3 THM failures (chloroform sum peaking at 128 ug/L against the 100 ug/L PCV) in 12 months during periods of high autumn catchment colour (true colour exceeding 80 Hazen units), triggering a DWI enforcement undertaking requiring a corrective action plan within 60 days.

    Approach

    A Drinking Water Safety Plan review identified two critical control point failures: (1) coagulant (ferric sulphate) dosing was controlled manually without online UV254 feedback, causing under-coagulation during colour events; (2) chlorine contact time at the pre-chlorination point was insufficient at high flow, generating elevated THM precursor reaction with residual NOM. The corrective plan installed a Hach UVAS online UV254 analyser driving an automated ferric dosing PID loop, a second coagulant dosing point to increase contact time, and an online THM analyser (Myriad THMplus, sampling from the service reservoir outlet) with a SCADA alarm at 80 ug/L to allow operational intervention before the PCV was breached.

    Outcome

    THM compliance restored within 4 months of commissioning; no further breaches in 24-month post-installation monitoring period. Annual regulatory DWI monitoring returns showed THM average reduced from 84 to 42 ug/L. The automated dosing system reduced ferric sulphate consumption by 18 percent (GBP 28,000 per year saving) and improved turbidity at filter outlets from 0.14 NTU average to 0.07 NTU average, creating additional safety margin. DWI enforcement undertaking discharged at the 18-month review.

    Questions to Ask Shortlisted Providers

    1. 1

      Is your regulatory monitoring programme designed around a risk-based Drinking Water Safety Plan (DWSP) framework, and has it been reviewed by DWI within the last 3 years?

      DWI expects water companies to operate DWSPs aligned with WHO Water Safety Plan principles; a DWSP-designed monitoring programme is accepted by DWI as evidence of systematic risk management at inspections, whereas a monitoring programme based only on the minimum regulatory schedule may not demonstrate adequate control of site-specific hazards such as seasonal THM precursor events or Cryptosporidium risk periods.

    2. 2

      For online process monitoring instruments (turbidimeters, chlorine analysers, UV254 sensors), what is the calibration frequency and what is the sensor response time for alarm conditions?

      DWI guidance expects key online process monitors at treatment works to be calibrated at intervals validated by the company's quality assurance system (typically at least weekly for turbidimeters; at least daily verification for chlorine analysers); a sensor response time exceeding 15 minutes may mean that a treatment failure is not detected before affected water has left the treatment works and entered the distribution system.

    3. 3

      Have all laboratory subcontractors been checked against the UKAS Accredited Organisations schedule for the specific methods used in your regulatory monitoring programme?

      UKAS accreditation is method-specific and matrix-specific; a laboratory accredited for THM analysis in drinking water may not be accredited for the same analysis in raw source water; using a non-accredited method for a regulatory sample produces data that cannot be used for DWI compliance reporting and may result in a failed sample being undetectable or unenforceable.

    4. 4

      How is continuous Cryptosporidium monitoring data from treatment works transmitted to your SCADA system, and what is the alarm response protocol for oocyst detections above the trigger level?

      The Cryptosporidium (Additional Measures) Direction 1999 requires continuous monitoring at qualifying works; the response protocol for an oocyst detection event (typically greater than 1 oocyst per 10 litres triggers an internal investigation, and greater than 10 oocysts per 10 litres may trigger a boil water notice) must be formally documented and staff must be trained to respond within the defined timeframe.

    5. 5

      What quality assurance controls (blanks, duplicates, spiked recovery samples) are applied to your field sampling process, and how are these results recorded and trended?

      Field sampling errors (contaminated sample bottles, incorrect preservation, temperature exceedance during transport) account for a significant proportion of apparent water quality failures at UKAS-accredited laboratories; systematic QA on field sampling (including field duplicate agreement within 10 percent, blank results below method detection limit, and spike recovery within 80 to 120 percent) is required to demonstrate that a reported PCV exceedance reflects actual water quality rather than sampling error.

    What Drives Cost in This Category

    Laboratory analytical costs for regulatory versus operational monitoring

    UKAS-accredited regulatory analysis costs are significantly higher than internal operational testing: PFAS analysis by LC-MS/MS (EPA 537.1) costs GBP 250 to 500 per sample at an external accredited laboratory; an internal field test kit (Hach colorimetric) for free chlorine costs GBP 0.20 per test; for a company with 50 supply zones and quarterly PFAS monitoring, external laboratory costs are GBP 50,000 to 100,000 per year for PFAS alone, justifying investment in internal semi-quantitative PFAS screening methods for operational monitoring.

    Online analyser procurement, installation, and calibration maintenance

    A single Myriad THMplus online THM analyser (GC-based, sampling once per 20 minutes) costs GBP 35,000 to 55,000 installed; annual maintenance (consumables, calibration gas, lamp replacement) GBP 4,000 to 8,000 per year; compared to the cost of a THM compliance failure (DWI enforcement undertaking, public communication, corrective action programme, potential penalties) which routinely exceeds GBP 200,000 per event, the economics of continuous monitoring are straightforward for high-THM-risk sources.

    Proficiency testing (PT) scheme participation and laboratory accreditation maintenance

    UKAS requires accredited laboratories to participate in PT schemes (WaterPT, UKWIR PT) at typically bi-annual frequency; PT round participation costs GBP 300 to 800 per round per parameter group; UKAS surveillance audit fees GBP 3,000 to 8,000 per day (typically 1 to 2 days per year); accreditation renewal GBP 5,000 to 15,000 per 3-year cycle; smaller water company laboratories operating 10 to 20 accredited methods spend GBP 20,000 to 50,000 per year on accreditation maintenance, which must be included in the water quality monitoring budget.

    Contamination event response and incident investigation costs

    A DWI-notified water quality failure (PCV exceedance for a microbiological or chemical parameter) triggers an investigation that typically costs GBP 20,000 to 80,000 in analytical, staff, and communications costs; a boil water notice event serving more than 10,000 properties requires bottled water distribution (GBP 5 to 15 per property per day), customer communications (GBP 20,000 to 80,000), and post-incident DWI reporting; investment in preventive monitoring (online THM, continuous turbidity, Cryptosporidium monitoring) is routinely cost-justified against the expected cost of 1 to 2 averted incidents per decade.

    Key Regulations & Standards

    Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2016 (England) - Monitoring Requirements and PCVs

    WS(WQ)R 2016 Schedule 1 sets Prescribed Concentration Values (PCVs) for 50+ parameters; Schedule 5 sets monitoring frequencies based on population served; Regulation 16 requires results to be reported to DWI; Regulation 19 requires notification of PCV breaches within 30 days; DWI Technical Guidance (TG01 to TG10 series) provides detailed guidance on monitoring methods and quality assurance.

    UKAS ISO/IEC 17025:2017 Accreditation for Regulatory Water Testing

    All laboratories carrying out analysis of regulatory water quality samples in the UK must hold UKAS accreditation for each relevant method; UKAS accreditation schedule is method-specific (identifies each analytical method, scope, and any limitations); UKAS conducts annual surveillance visits and 3-yearly reassessment; failure to maintain accreditation results in withdrawal of authority to report regulatory results to DWI or EA.

    Cryptosporidium (Additional Measures) Direction 1999 - Continuous Monitoring Obligation

    The Direction requires continuous monitoring for Cryptosporidium oocysts at all treatment works abstracting surface water or groundwater under the direct influence of surface water (GWUDI); monitoring must use a validated method (US EPA Method 1623.1 or BS EN 14764); results must be reported to DWI monthly; oocyst detections above defined trigger levels require immediate investigation and possible supply restriction.

    EA MCERTS (Monitoring Certification Scheme) for Environmental Water Quality Analysis

    EA MCERTS certification is required for laboratories and instruments used in analysis of environmental water samples for EA Environmental Permit compliance reporting; MCERTS covers drinking water treatment chemical analysis, effluent analysis, and continuous emission monitoring; MCERTS requirements include ISO 17025 accreditation plus additional EA-specific method and quality requirements; MCERTS certification is separate from and in addition to UKAS accreditation.