Drinking Water Inspectorate DWI
The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) is part of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). It was formed in 1990 to provide independent assurance that water supplies in England and Wales are safe and that drinking water quality is acceptable to consumers.
DWI is authorised to enforce measures if standards are not being met. It can also take appropriate action when water is deemed unfit for human consumption.
Additional areas of responsibility include:
- Providing a technical audit of water companies operating practices.
- Assessing water company sampling programmes and results.
- Assessing incidents that could affect drinking water quality or sufficiency.
- Handling enquiries from the public.
- Investigating consumer complaints about drinking water quality.
- Managing water company programmes for improving drinking water quality (including the DWI’s input into the Ofwat periodic review of water prices).
- Managing the DWI’s scientific evidence and Defra’s water quality and health research programme.
- Managing product approvals.
- Managing industry data.
- Overseeing Local Authority enforcement of regulations for private water supplies.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- BS 8680:2020 Water quality. Water Safety Plans. Code of practice.
- Consumer Council for Water CCWater.
- Do our water quality standards demonstrate to the public that their water supply is clean?
- Drinking water quality.
- Drinking Water Quality Regulator for Scotland DWQR.
- Environment Agency.
- Incumbent water company v undertaker.
- Ofwat.
- Water safety plan WSP.
Featured articles and news
Reasons for using MVHR systems
6 reasons for a whole-house approach to ventilation.
Supplementary Planning Documents, a reminder
As used by the City of London to introduce a Retrofit first policy.
The what, how, why and when of deposit return schemes
Circular economy steps for plastic bottles and cans in England and Northern Ireland draws.
Join forces and share Building Safety knowledge in 2025
Why and how to contribute to the Building Safety Wiki.
Reporting on Payment Practices and Performance Regs
Approved amendment coming into effect 1 March 2025.
A new CIOB TIS on discharging CDM 2015 duties
Practical steps that can be undertaken in the Management of Contractors to discharge the relevant CDM 2015 duties.
Planning for homes by transport hubs
Next steps for infrastructure following the updated NPPF.
Access, history and Ty unnos.
The world’s first publicly funded civic park.
Exploring permitted development rights for change of use
Discussing lesser known classes M, N, P, PA and L.
CIOB Art of Building 2024 judges choice winner
Once Upon a Pass by Liam Man.
CIOB Art of Building 2024 public choice winner
Fresco School by Roman Robroek.
HE expands finance alliance to boost SME house building
Project follows on from Habiko public-private place making pension partnership for affordable housing delivery.
Licensing construction; looking back to look forward
Voluntary to required contractors (licensing) schemes.
A contractor discusses the Building Safety Act
A brief to the point look at changes that have occurred.
How orchards can influence planning and development.