The Public Water Supplies (Scotland) Regulations 2014

Numbers of samples

9.—(1) Subject to regulations 11 and 12 and paragraph (2), in each year Scottish Water must take, or cause to be taken (for each water supply zone)—

(a) from sampling points; or

(b) to the extent authorised under regulation 8, from alternative supply points,

the standard number of samples for each parameter in Table 2 or, as the case may be, Table 3.

(2) Where, in respect of a parameter in Table A, Table B or Table C that is subject to check monitoring (in accordance with regulation 6(4) as read with the Tables 1 to 4 in Schedule 2)—

(a) Scottish Water considers that the quality of water supplied by it to a water supply zone is unlikely to deteriorate; and

(b) the conditions in paragraph (3) are met,

the number of samples to be taken in the following year for that parameter may be the reduced number of samples for that parameter in Table 2 or, as the case may be, Table 3.

(3) The conditions are that in each of two successive years—

(a) the results of samples taken in accordance with these Regulations show no significant variation; and

(b) if the parameter in question is—

(i) Escherichia coli (item 2) in Table A, it has not exceeded 0;

(ii) Clostridium perfringens (item 3) in Table C, it has not exceeded 0;

(iii) coliform bacteria (item 4) in Table C, it has not exceeded 0;

(iv) colony count (item 5) in Table C, it has shown no abnormal change;

(v) hydrogen ion (item 8) in Table C, it has maintained a pH value that is not less than 6.5 and not more than 9.5;

(vi) total organic carbon (item 12) in Table C, it has shown no abnormal change; or

(vii) any other parameter, it has maintained a concentration or value that is significantly lower than the prescribed concentration or value.

(4) Samples required to be taken by this regulation must be taken at regular intervals.

(5) In this regulation—

(a) “sampling points” is to be construed in accordance with regulation 8(7);

(b) “the reduced number” means—

(i) for sampling points, the applicable number in column (4) of Table 2; and

(ii) for a supply point, the applicable number in column (4) of Table 3; and

(c) “the standard number” means—

(i) for sampling points, the applicable number in column (5) of Table 2; and

(ii) for a supply point, the applicable number in column (5) of Table 3.