01/04/09
Read a round-up of results delivered in 2008-09 through the Water UK Standards Programme that benefited the water industry and contributed to best practice.
Sewer regulations
The Secretary of State, Hillary Benn, announced in the Pitt Review response that regulations should be in place for adoptable sewers by April 2010 (Topic Area A). As a result, reps have been able to ensure that the core standards BS/EN/752 (January 2008) underline the water industry's position. The guidance and regulations all reflect the water industry's position and Defra has no additional requirements. Regulations to cover all new sewers are likely to follow, so the water industry's requirements would also be embedded in any new standards for new sewers.
Design of buried pipes
The water industry has been involved in a guide to the structured design of buried pipes. The existing European standard (EN 1295) is rather complex so BSI is simplifying. The new standard reflects the water industry’s requirements.
Rainwater harvesting
Water industry representation on B/505/21/P11 Rainwater harvesting systems (now CB/506) has provided active involvement in the drafting of BS/8515 Rainwater Harvesting Systems: Code of Practice.
One key concern with the introduction of these systems is the specification of minimum water quality. Part 2 of this standard will be developed to cover methods of test and specification. The development of this standard, alongside the revision to Part G of the Building Regulations which will permit the use of rainwater for toilet flushing and garden watering, should allow efficient use of treated water while protecting customers. The committee is now developing a similar standard for grey water recycling.
Bedding and backfill materials
Amendments to WIS 4-08-02 and IGN 4-08-01 on bedding and backfill materials have been prepared and published to reflect current standards.
Pressure jetting in plastic pipes
The publication of BS/EN/13476-1 in 2007 for structured-wall plastic piping systems for drainage and sewerage superseded the Water Industry Specification (WIS 4-35-01) which had been in place since 2000. BS/EN/13476-1 did not include an acceptance test and criteria for resistance of pipes to pressure jetting. This was a cause of concern to the water industry due to the high pressures used to unblock pipes. Through the work of Standards Reps, the National Annex to the European Standard has been written in such a way as to permit such a test to be carried out in accordance with WIS 4-35-01. Therefore Issue 2 of WIS 4-35-01 has been issued to include this test and criteria only (www.wis-ign.org).
Supply and wastewater systems
Representation on CB/503, the BSI mirror committee to ISO TC224 - Service activities relating to drinking water supply systems and wastewater systems - Quality criteria of the service and performance indicators, has resulted in three standards published by BSI in May 2008 being acceptable to the industry. These standard cover guidelines for the design of levels of service and performance indications.
Asset management
Reps have taken part in the ISO TC224 working group dealing with asset management of water utilities and obtained permission of BSI for the use of their publication PAS 55 – Asset Management to be offered as the base document for use by the Working Group. A number of Water UK members already use PAS 55.
Surface boxes, guards and underground chambers
Participation in the revision of BS 5834-1:1985 - Surface boxes, guards and underground chambers for gas and waterworks purposes has resulted in a draft standard (BS/5834-1 Surface boxes, guards and underground chambers for utilities purposes.