Water Utility Compliance Excellence
Manage water quality, network compliance, and environmental requirements with digital tools designed for water utilities.
The Challenge
Water utilities operate under dual regulatory pressure from the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) for water quality and the Environment Agency for wastewater discharges, with Ofwat monitoring performance and customer service. Managing water quality sampling, treatment works compliance, discharge consent monitoring, and storm overflow events across hundreds of sites using paper systems and spreadsheets creates unacceptable compliance risk. When DWI investigates a water quality failure or the Environment Agency prosecutes for discharge consent breaches, incomplete documentation can result in criminal prosecution, significant fines, and lasting reputational damage.
How Assistant Manager Solves Water Compliance
Each module is designed to address the specific challenges water businesses face every day.
Digital Checklist
Water utilities face criminal prosecution for water quality failures and discharge consent breaches - comprehensive digital checklists provide the evidence trail needed for regulatory defence
The Problems
Why This Matters for Water
- Treatment works operational checks are recorded on paper that doesn't capture the full range of parameters and can't be analysed for trends
Developing problems aren't identified until treatment fails and water quality is affected
- Service reservoir inspections vary in thoroughness between different inspectors, with no standardised approach to defect identification
Reservoir defects including contamination risks are missed, potentially affecting water quality for thousands of customers
- Storm overflow activation records are incomplete or delayed, making it impossible to accurately report CSO spill hours to regulators
Environment Agency questions your CSO reporting accuracy, and you cannot demonstrate compliance with Event Duration Monitoring requirements
The Solution
How Digital Checklist Helps
Digital checklists with parameter trending, standardised inspection protocols, real-time CSO event recording, and automatic alert triggers for exceedances
Every inspection follows the same standard, parameter trends are visible in real-time, and CSO events are documented automatically for accurate regulatory reporting
Use Cases:
- • Treatment works operational parameter recording with trending
- • Service reservoir inspection with contamination risk assessment
- • Pumping station daily checks with telemetry verification
- • Storm overflow activation and spill duration recording
- • Water quality sampling point inspection and condition
- • Dam safety inspection with regulatory requirement tracking
Feature Screenshot
Digital Checklist
Real-World Examples
Example 1: Treatment works operational checks are recorded on paper that doesn't capture the full range of parameters and can't be analysed for trends
Real Scenario
"A treatment works coagulant dosing issue develops over several weeks. The paper logs showed slightly elevated turbidity readings, but nobody spotted the trend until water quality complaints from customers triggered investigation."
Example 2: Service reservoir inspections vary in thoroughness between different inspectors, with no standardised approach to defect identification
Real Scenario
"A service reservoir inspection misses a failing roof vent that later allows bird ingress. The resulting contamination event affects 15,000 customers and triggers DWI investigation."
Example 3: Storm overflow activation records are incomplete or delayed, making it impossible to accurately report CSO spill hours to regulators
Real Scenario
"Environment Agency EDM audit reveals your CSO spill duration data doesn't match what your monitors recorded. Paper-based supplementary records are incomplete and cannot explain the discrepancy."
Staff Training
Water treatment requires specific competencies for different process types and works - DWI and HSE both expect documented evidence that operators are properly trained for their responsibilities
The Problems
Why This Matters for Water
- Treatment works operator competencies aren't systematically tracked, with some operators working on processes they're not fully trained for
Undertrained operators make errors that affect water quality or cause environmental incidents
- Confined space and working at height certifications for treatment works staff expire without systematic tracking
Staff work in confined spaces or at height without current certifications, creating serious safety and regulatory risk
- New treatment works staff are deployed to sites before completing all required process training
Incompletely trained staff make errors that affect water quality or environmental compliance
The Solution
How Staff Training Helps
Learning management system with process-specific competency tracking, certification expiry alerts, training gap analysis, and deployment restrictions based on training status
Every operator has verified competencies for their assigned works, with automatic alerts before certifications expire and restrictions preventing untrained deployment
Use Cases:
- • Treatment process competency tracking by works and process type
- • Confined space entry certification management
- • Chlorine handling and gas safety training verification
- • Laboratory sampling and analysis competency
- • EUSR water hygiene training tracking
- • Emergency response and incident management training
Feature Screenshot
Staff Training
Real-World Examples
Example 1: Treatment works operator competencies aren't systematically tracked, with some operators working on processes they're not fully trained for
Real Scenario
"An operator unfamiliar with the UV treatment system makes an incorrect adjustment that reduces disinfection effectiveness. DWI investigation reveals they never completed the UV system training module."
Example 2: Confined space and working at height certifications for treatment works staff expire without systematic tracking
Real Scenario
"A treatment works operator enters a covered tank for maintenance. Their confined space certification expired 4 months ago, and when HSE investigates a near-miss, they discover the compliance gap."
Example 3: New treatment works staff are deployed to sites before completing all required process training
Real Scenario
"A new operator left alone at a small treatment works incorrectly adjusts chlorine dosing. The error isn't detected until customer complaints about taste and smell trigger investigation."
Safe Supplier
Water utilities face criminal prosecution for water quality failures - ensuring contractors and suppliers meet water-specific requirements is essential for protecting public health and regulatory compliance
The Problems
Why This Matters for Water
- Contractors working on water treatment infrastructure aren't systematically verified for water hygiene qualifications and appropriate insurance
Unqualified contractors create contamination risks or aren't adequately insured for work on water supply systems
- Chemical suppliers aren't monitored for Regulation 31 approval status, and approval documents aren't collected systematically
Non-approved chemicals are used in water treatment, creating regulatory non-compliance and potential water quality risk
- Laboratory and sampling service providers aren't monitored for UKAS accreditation scope, and accreditation lapses aren't detected
Water quality data is produced by non-accredited laboratories, making regulatory compliance claims invalid
The Solution
How Safe Supplier Helps
Supplier portal with water hygiene qualification verification, Regulation 31 approval tracking, UKAS accreditation monitoring, and automatic expiry alerts
Every contractor is verified water-safe, every chemical is confirmed approved, and laboratory accreditations are monitored continuously
Use Cases:
- • Water hygiene (EUSR) qualification verification for contractors
- • Regulation 31 chemical approval tracking with expiry alerts
- • UKAS laboratory accreditation scope monitoring
- • Treatment chemical supplier quality certification
- • Tanker and bulk water supplier approval management
- • Specialist contractor insurance and liability verification
Feature Screenshot
Safe Supplier
Real-World Examples
Example 1: Contractors working on water treatment infrastructure aren't systematically verified for water hygiene qualifications and appropriate insurance
Real Scenario
"A plumbing contractor creates a cross-connection during treatment works modification. Investigation reveals they had no water hygiene qualification and didn't understand the contamination risk they created."
Example 2: Chemical suppliers aren't monitored for Regulation 31 approval status, and approval documents aren't collected systematically
Real Scenario
"DWI audit reveals that a treatment chemical's Regulation 31 approval expired six months ago. You continued using the product because nobody tracked the approval expiry date."
Example 3: Laboratory and sampling service providers aren't monitored for UKAS accreditation scope, and accreditation lapses aren't detected
Real Scenario
"Regulatory sampling data is challenged because your laboratory subcontractor's UKAS accreditation for specific parameters had been withdrawn. A year's worth of data is potentially invalid."
Action Tracker
Water utilities face regulatory requirements from multiple bodies with strict deadlines - centralised tracking ensures compliance across DWI, Environment Agency, and Ofwat requirements
The Problems
Why This Matters for Water
- DWI improvement recommendations from event investigations aren't systematically tracked to implementation
The same issues recur, demonstrating failure to learn from events and attracting escalated regulatory attention
- Environment Agency permit improvement conditions aren't tracked centrally, leading to missed compliance deadlines
Permit condition deadlines are missed, triggering enforcement action and potential prosecution
- Asset condition defects identified during surveys aren't tracked through to repair, with some sites having long-outstanding issues
Known defects remain unaddressed until they cause incidents, and you cannot demonstrate systematic asset management
The Solution
How Action Tracker Helps
Centralised action tracking with regulatory deadline monitoring, owner assignment, automatic escalation, and evidence upload for completion verification
Every regulatory requirement and asset defect has a clear owner and deadline, with escalation ensuring nothing becomes overdue
Use Cases:
- • DWI investigation recommendation tracking
- • Environment Agency permit condition compliance
- • Ofwat performance commitment action plans
- • Asset condition defect repair tracking
- • Water quality exceedance response actions
- • Storm overflow improvement programme management
Feature Screenshot
Action Tracker
Real-World Examples
Example 1: DWI improvement recommendations from event investigations aren't systematically tracked to implementation
Real Scenario
"DWI's investigation of a water quality event recommends process improvements. The recommendations are filed but not implemented. When a similar event occurs a year later, DWI notes the failure to act on previous advice."
Example 2: Environment Agency permit improvement conditions aren't tracked centrally, leading to missed compliance deadlines
Real Scenario
"An environmental permit required phosphorus removal improvements by a specific date. The requirement was in the permit but not tracked separately, and the deadline passed without implementation."
Example 3: Asset condition defects identified during surveys aren't tracked through to repair, with some sites having long-outstanding issues
Real Scenario
"A service reservoir roof defect identified two years ago is finally repaired after contamination occurs. The defect was noted in a survey report but never entered into a tracking system."
Document Vault
Water utilities must demonstrate regulatory compliance stretching back years or decades - systematic document management is essential for regulatory investigations and operational decision-making
The Problems
Why This Matters for Water
- Water quality records including sampling results, treatment adjustments, and compliance data are scattered across multiple systems
When DWI requires complete water quality history for an investigation, compiling the information takes days and may be incomplete
- Environmental permits, discharge consents, and abstraction licences aren't stored centrally with their associated monitoring requirements
Permit requirements are overlooked because the permits themselves aren't easily accessible with their conditions clearly documented
- Asset construction records, commissioning documentation, and as-built drawings can't be located when needed for maintenance or investigations
Maintenance is performed without complete asset information, and investigation of failures is hampered by missing documentation
The Solution
How Document Vault Helps
Centralised document management with regulatory document library, asset record linkage, permit condition tracking, and automated retention policy enforcement
Every document is stored once, accessible immediately, linked to relevant assets and permits, and retained according to regulatory requirements
Use Cases:
- • Water quality sampling and analysis records
- • Environmental permit and discharge consent library
- • Treatment works operating procedures and manuals
- • Asset construction and commissioning records
- • DWI regulatory submission archive
- • Laboratory accreditation and method documentation
Feature Screenshot
Document Vault
Real-World Examples
Example 1: Water quality records including sampling results, treatment adjustments, and compliance data are scattered across multiple systems
Real Scenario
"DWI investigates a water quality complaint. They request all relevant data within 48 hours. Your team spends two days gathering data from different systems, and the submission is still incomplete."
Example 2: Environmental permits, discharge consents, and abstraction licences aren't stored centrally with their associated monitoring requirements
Real Scenario
"A treatment works discharge exceeds a permit limit. Investigation reveals the permit limit had been revised two years ago, but the updated permit wasn't distributed to operational staff."
Example 3: Asset construction records, commissioning documentation, and as-built drawings can't be located when needed for maintenance or investigations
Real Scenario
"A pipeline fails and replacement is urgent. The as-built drawings showing the pipe route and construction details cannot be located, forcing speculative excavation."
Incident Reports
Water utilities must notify DWI of water quality events and Environment Agency of pollution incidents within strict timeframes - rapid incident capture and escalation is essential for regulatory compliance
The Problems
Why This Matters for Water
- Water quality events aren't escalated quickly enough, delaying DWI notification and protective actions for customers
DWI notification is late (should be within 24 hours), and customers may be exposed to water quality issues longer than necessary
- Environmental incidents including pollution events and permit breaches aren't reported to the Environment Agency within required timeframes
Late notification to Environment Agency triggers additional enforcement action on top of the underlying incident
- Near-miss events that could have caused water quality or environmental problems aren't captured and analysed
Warning signs are missed, and preventable incidents occur because learning opportunities weren't captured
The Solution
How Incident Reports Helps
Mobile incident reporting with automatic regulatory notification assessment, escalation workflows, root cause investigation, and trend analysis across all sites
Every event is captured immediately, regulatory notification requirements are automatically identified, and learning is shared across the organisation
Use Cases:
- • Water quality event reporting with DWI notification workflow
- • Environmental incident capture with EA notification tracking
- • Treatment works process upset documentation
- • Near-miss and hazard observation recording
- • Customer complaint investigation and response
- • Cross-site event trend analysis and learning distribution
Feature Screenshot
Incident Reports
Real-World Examples
Example 1: Water quality events aren't escalated quickly enough, delaying DWI notification and protective actions for customers
Real Scenario
"A treatment works issue causes elevated turbidity. The event isn't reported immediately, and DWI notification is made 36 hours later. DWI criticises the late notification and the delayed boil water notice."
Example 2: Environmental incidents including pollution events and permit breaches aren't reported to the Environment Agency within required timeframes
Real Scenario
"A treatment works discharge exceeds permit limits over a weekend. Environment Agency isn't notified until Monday morning, exceeding the 24-hour notification requirement and adding a reporting failure to the breach."
Example 3: Near-miss events that could have caused water quality or environmental problems aren't captured and analysed
Real Scenario
"A treatment chemical delivery nearly goes into the wrong tank due to similar connections. The near-miss isn't reported. Three months later, a delivery does go to the wrong tank, causing a water quality event."
Temperature Monitoring
Water temperature affects microbiological quality and chemical stability - continuous monitoring protects water quality and ensures sample validity for regulatory compliance
The Problems
Why This Matters for Water
- Service reservoir water temperatures aren't monitored continuously, risking bacterial growth during warm weather
Elevated water temperatures promote Legionella and other bacterial growth, creating water quality risk
- Treatment chemical storage temperatures aren't monitored, and chemicals degrade without detection
Degraded chemicals are used in treatment, affecting treatment effectiveness and potentially water quality
- Laboratory sample storage temperatures aren't continuously monitored, potentially invalidating sample integrity
Samples stored outside temperature requirements may give invalid results, affecting compliance data quality
The Solution
How Temperature Monitoring Helps
Continuous temperature monitoring for reservoirs, chemical stores, and laboratories with automatic alerts, trend analysis, and compliance reporting
Temperature excursions are detected immediately, enabling rapid response before water quality is affected or samples are compromised
Use Cases:
- • Service reservoir water temperature monitoring
- • Chemical storage environmental monitoring
- • Laboratory refrigerator and incubator tracking
- • Treatment works ambient temperature recording
- • Sample transport temperature verification
- • Seasonal temperature trend analysis and risk assessment
Feature Screenshot
Temperature Monitoring
Real-World Examples
Example 1: Service reservoir water temperatures aren't monitored continuously, risking bacterial growth during warm weather
Real Scenario
"A service reservoir develops elevated coliform counts during summer. Investigation reveals water temperatures had been elevated for weeks, but the quarterly temperature check had missed the peak period."
Example 2: Treatment chemical storage temperatures aren't monitored, and chemicals degrade without detection
Real Scenario
"Sodium hypochlorite stored in a hot compound degrades significantly. The degradation isn't detected, and disinfection doses are inadequate, leading to microbiological failures."
Example 3: Laboratory sample storage temperatures aren't continuously monitored, potentially invalidating sample integrity
Real Scenario
"A laboratory refrigerator fails overnight. Without continuous monitoring, the failure isn't detected until morning. Sample integrity is compromised, and a day's compliance samples must be re-collected."
Audit Trail
Water utilities face potential prosecution for water quality and environmental failures - a complete audit trail is essential for demonstrating due diligence and defending against allegations
The Problems
Why This Matters for Water
- Treatment process changes and dosing adjustments aren't logged with complete audit trails showing who made changes and why
When water quality issues occur, you cannot reconstruct what operational changes were made in the relevant period
- Changes to sampling schedules and compliance documentation aren't version controlled with approval records
DWI questions your sampling approach, and you cannot demonstrate that changes were properly reviewed and approved
- Regulatory submissions to DWI, Ofwat, and Environment Agency aren't archived with approval records and submission confirmation
When regulators question submitted data, you cannot demonstrate who approved it or confirm exactly what was submitted
The Solution
How Audit Trail Helps
Complete audit trail of all system activities including treatment adjustments, document approvals, regulatory submissions, and compliance activities with full user and timestamp records
Every action is recorded with who, what, when, and why - providing complete reconstructibility for any regulatory investigation or data challenge
Use Cases:
- • Treatment process adjustment logging with operator identification
- • Sampling schedule version control and approval tracking
- • Regulatory submission archive with approval records
- • Compliance document review and sign-off audit
- • Water quality exceedance response documentation
- • DWI investigation timeline reconstruction
Feature Screenshot
Audit Trail
Real-World Examples
Example 1: Treatment process changes and dosing adjustments aren't logged with complete audit trails showing who made changes and why
Real Scenario
"A water quality event is traced to a treatment adjustment. SCADA shows the change was made, but there's no record of who made it, why, or whether it was authorised."
Example 2: Changes to sampling schedules and compliance documentation aren't version controlled with approval records
Real Scenario
"DWI challenges a reduction in sampling frequency. You cannot demonstrate that the change was risk-assessed and approved because there's no documentation of the decision-making process."
Example 3: Regulatory submissions to DWI, Ofwat, and Environment Agency aren't archived with approval records and submission confirmation
Real Scenario
"Ofwat questions data in your annual submission. You cannot locate the exact version that was submitted or demonstrate the approval process before submission."
Results Water Businesses Achieve
Other Utilities Solutions
Flow Into Better Compliance
Join water utilities using Assistant Manager to maintain quality and environmental excellence.