Drinking Water Inspectorate

Drinking Water Inspectorate (England and Wales)
Applies toEngland and Wales
Relates toDrinking water quality
Other UK counterparts
Northern IrelandDrinking Water Inspectorate (NI)
ScotlandDrinking Water Quality Regulator for Scotland

The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) is a section of Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), established in 1990 alongside water privatisation, to provide independent reassurance that drinking water supplies in England and Wales are safe and of acceptable quality.[1]

Based in Whitehall, it produces an annual report showing the quality of and problems associated with drinking water. Its remit is to assess the quality of drinking water in England and Wales, taking enforcement action if standards are not being met, and appropriate action when water is unfit for human consumption.[2]

Before the United Kingdom left the European Union in 2020, the Drinking Water Inspectorate reported on drinking water quality to the European Union under the European Drinking Water Directive (DWD), Council Directive 98/83/EC, which concerns the quality of water intended for human consumption.[3] It provides advice to Defra on the transposition of European water legislation in England and Wales.

The Drinking Water Quality Regulator for Scotland is the equivalent body for Scotland.

References

  1. ^ "Drinking Water Inspectorate". Drinking Water Inspectorate. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
  2. ^ Drinking Water Inspectorate web site. Accessed 5 October 2007
  3. ^ The European Commission's Environment DG web site. Accessed 5 October 2007


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