The Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007

Made: 1st October 2007

Coming into operation: 31st October 2007

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PART 1 — Introductory

Citation and commencement

1

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Interpretation

2

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Exemptions

3

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PART 2 — Natural mineral water

Recognition as natural mineral water

4

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Exploitation of natural mineral water springs

5

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Treatments and additions for natural mineral water

6

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Bottling of natural mineral water

7

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Marking, labelling and advertising of natural mineral water

8

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Sale of natural mineral water

9

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PART 3 — Spring water

Bottling of spring water and exploitation of spring water springs

10

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Marking, labelling and advertising of spring water

11

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Sale of spring water

12

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PART 4 — Bottled drinking water

Bottling of drinking water

13

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Marking, labelling and advertising of bottled drinking water

14

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Sale of bottled drinking water

15

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PART 5 — Miscellaneous and supplemental

Enforcement

16

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Arrangements for samples taken for analysis

17

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Secondary analysis by the Government Chemist

18

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Methods of analysis

19

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Offences and penalties

20

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Defences

21

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Application of other provisions

22

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Revocations

23

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

SCHEDULE 1 — Conditions for treatment of natural mineral waters and spring waters with ozone–enriched air

1

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

5

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

6

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

7

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

8

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

9

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

10

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

SCHEDULE 2 — Requirements for spring water and drinking water including prescribed concentrations or values of parameters

PART 1 — Requirements for spring water and drinking water

1

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PART 2 — Prescribed concentrations or values

Column 1Item	Column 2Parameters	Column 3Units of Measurement	Column 4Concentration or Value (maximum unless otherwise stated)
Notes:The concentration (mg/l) of nitrate divided by 50 added to the concentration (mg/l) of nitrite divided by 3 must not exceed 1.Excluding tritium, potassium-40, radon and radon decay products.	Notes:The concentration (mg/l) of nitrate divided by 50 added to the concentration (mg/l) of nitrite divided by 3 must not exceed 1.Excluding tritium, potassium-40, radon and radon decay products.	Notes:The concentration (mg/l) of nitrate divided by 50 added to the concentration (mg/l) of nitrite divided by 3 must not exceed 1.Excluding tritium, potassium-40, radon and radon decay products.	Notes:The concentration (mg/l) of nitrate divided by 50 added to the concentration (mg/l) of nitrite divided by 3 must not exceed 1.Excluding tritium, potassium-40, radon and radon decay products.
1.	Colour	mg/1 Pt/Co scale	20
2.	Turbidity	NTU	4
3.	Odour	Dilution number	3 at 25°C
4.	Taste	Dilution number	3 at 25°C
5.	Sulphate	mg SO₄/1	250
6.	Sodium	mg Na/l	200
7.	Nitrate	mg NO₃/l	50 (note 1)
8.	Nitrite	mg NO₂/l	0.5 (note 1)
9.	Aluminium	µgAl/l	200
10.	Copper	mg Cu/l	2
11.	Fluoride	mg F/l	1.5
12.	Hydrogen ion concentration	pH units	4.5 (minimum)9.5 (maximum)
13.	Tritium (for radioactivity)	Bq/l	100
14.	Total indicative dose	mSv/year	0.10 (note 2)
15.	Manganese	µg Mn/l	50
Column 1Item	Column 2Parameters	Column 3Units of Measurement	Column 4Maximum Concentration
---	---	---	---
Notes:“Pesticides” means:organic insecticides,organic herbicides,organic fungicides,organic nematocides,organic acaricides,organic algicides,organic rodenticides,organic slimicides, andrelated products (inter alia, growth regulators) and their relevant metabolites, degradation and reaction products.Only those pesticides which are likely to be present in a given water need to be monitored.The maximum concentration applies to each individual pesticide. In the case of aldrin, dieldrin, heptaclor and heptachlor epoxide the maximum concentration is 0.030 µg/l.The maximum concentration for “total substances” refers to the sum of the concentrations of all individual pesticides detected and quantified in the monitoring procedure.The specified compounds are benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, benzo(ghi)perylene, indeno(1.2,3-cd) pyrene.	Notes:“Pesticides” means:organic insecticides,organic herbicides,organic fungicides,organic nematocides,organic acaricides,organic algicides,organic rodenticides,organic slimicides, andrelated products (inter alia, growth regulators) and their relevant metabolites, degradation and reaction products.Only those pesticides which are likely to be present in a given water need to be monitored.The maximum concentration applies to each individual pesticide. In the case of aldrin, dieldrin, heptaclor and heptachlor epoxide the maximum concentration is 0.030 µg/l.The maximum concentration for “total substances” refers to the sum of the concentrations of all individual pesticides detected and quantified in the monitoring procedure.The specified compounds are benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, benzo(ghi)perylene, indeno(1.2,3-cd) pyrene.	Notes:“Pesticides” means:organic insecticides,organic herbicides,organic fungicides,organic nematocides,organic acaricides,organic algicides,organic rodenticides,organic slimicides, andrelated products (inter alia, growth regulators) and their relevant metabolites, degradation and reaction products.Only those pesticides which are likely to be present in a given water need to be monitored.The maximum concentration applies to each individual pesticide. In the case of aldrin, dieldrin, heptaclor and heptachlor epoxide the maximum concentration is 0.030 µg/l.The maximum concentration for “total substances” refers to the sum of the concentrations of all individual pesticides detected and quantified in the monitoring procedure.The specified compounds are benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, benzo(ghi)perylene, indeno(1.2,3-cd) pyrene.	Notes:“Pesticides” means:organic insecticides,organic herbicides,organic fungicides,organic nematocides,organic acaricides,organic algicides,organic rodenticides,organic slimicides, andrelated products (inter alia, growth regulators) and their relevant metabolites, degradation and reaction products.Only those pesticides which are likely to be present in a given water need to be monitored.The maximum concentration applies to each individual pesticide. In the case of aldrin, dieldrin, heptaclor and heptachlor epoxide the maximum concentration is 0.030 µg/l.The maximum concentration for “total substances” refers to the sum of the concentrations of all individual pesticides detected and quantified in the monitoring procedure.The specified compounds are benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, benzo(ghi)perylene, indeno(1.2,3-cd) pyrene.
1.	Arsenic	µg As/l	10
2.	Cadmium	µg Cd/l	5
3.	Cyanide	µg CN/l	50
4.	Chromium	µg Cr/l	50
5.	Mercury	µg Hg/l	1
6.	Nickel	µg Ni/l	20
7.	Selenium	µg Se/l	10
8.	Antimony	µg Sb/l	5
9.	Lead	µg Pb/l	10
10.	Pesticides and related products:
	- individual substances	µg/l	0.10 (notes 1 and 2)
	- total substances	µg/l	0.50 (notes 1 and 3)
11.	Polycyclic aromatic Hydrocarbons	µg/l	0.1 sum of concentrations of specified compounds (note 4)
12.	Bromate	µg BrO₃/l	10
Column 1Item	Column 2Parameters	Column 3Units of Measurement	Column 4Maximum Concentration
---	---	---	---
Notes:The total viable colony count should be measured within 12 hours of bottling, with the sample water being kept at a constant temperature during that 12 hour period. Any increase in the total viable colony count of the water between 12 hours after bottling and the time of sale should not be greater than that normally expected.In 72 hours on agar–agar or an agar–gelatine mixture.In 24 hours on agar–agar.	Notes:The total viable colony count should be measured within 12 hours of bottling, with the sample water being kept at a constant temperature during that 12 hour period. Any increase in the total viable colony count of the water between 12 hours after bottling and the time of sale should not be greater than that normally expected.In 72 hours on agar–agar or an agar–gelatine mixture.In 24 hours on agar–agar.	Notes:The total viable colony count should be measured within 12 hours of bottling, with the sample water being kept at a constant temperature during that 12 hour period. Any increase in the total viable colony count of the water between 12 hours after bottling and the time of sale should not be greater than that normally expected.In 72 hours on agar–agar or an agar–gelatine mixture.In 24 hours on agar–agar.	Notes:The total viable colony count should be measured within 12 hours of bottling, with the sample water being kept at a constant temperature during that 12 hour period. Any increase in the total viable colony count of the water between 12 hours after bottling and the time of sale should not be greater than that normally expected.In 72 hours on agar–agar or an agar–gelatine mixture.In 24 hours on agar–agar.
1.	Escherichia coli(E.coli)	number/250 ml	0/250 ml
2.	Enterococci	number/250 ml	0/250 ml
3.	Colony count 22°C	number/ml	100/ml (notes 1 and 2)
4.	Colony count 37°C	number/ml	20/ml (notes 1 and 3)
5.	Pseudomonas aeruginosa	number/250/ml	0/250 ml
Column 1Item	Column 2Parameters	Column 3Units of Measurement	Column 4Maximum Concentration
---	---	---	---
Notes:The maximum concentration specified applies to the sum of the concentrations of the specified parameters.The parametric value refers to the residual monomer concentration in the water as calculated according to specifications of the maximum release from the corresponding polymer in contact with the water.	Notes:The maximum concentration specified applies to the sum of the concentrations of the specified parameters.The parametric value refers to the residual monomer concentration in the water as calculated according to specifications of the maximum release from the corresponding polymer in contact with the water.	Notes:The maximum concentration specified applies to the sum of the concentrations of the specified parameters.The parametric value refers to the residual monomer concentration in the water as calculated according to specifications of the maximum release from the corresponding polymer in contact with the water.	Notes:The maximum concentration specified applies to the sum of the concentrations of the specified parameters.The parametric value refers to the residual monomer concentration in the water as calculated according to specifications of the maximum release from the corresponding polymer in contact with the water.
1.	Boron	mg/l	1.0
2.	Benzo (a) pyrene	µg/l	0.010
3.	Tetrachloroethene and Trichloroethene	µg/l	10 (note 1)
4.	Tetrachloromethane	µg/l	3
5.	Benzene	µg/l	1.0
6.	1,2-dichloroethane	µg/l	3.0
7.	Trichloromethane, Dichlororbromomethane, Dibromochloromethane and Tribromomethane	µg/l	100 (note 1)
8.	Epichlorohydrin	µg/l	0.10 (note 2)
9.	Vinyl chloride	µg/l	0.50 (note 2)
10.	Acrylamide	µg/l	0.10 (note 2)

SCHEDULE 3 — Recognition of natural mineral waters

PART 1 — Natural mineral waters extracted from the ground in Northern Ireland

1

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

5

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PART 2 — Natural mineral waters extracted from the ground in a country other than an EEAState

1

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

5

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

6

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PART 3 — Requirements and criteria for recognition as a natural mineral water

1

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

SCHEDULE 4 — Exploitation and bottling requirements for natural mineral water and spring water

1

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

5

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

6

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

7

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

8

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

SCHEDULE 5 — Particulars of anions, cations, non–ionised compounds and trace elements