WARRINGTON based North West Water is taking action after a report showed water quality in the area was slightly below average.

The independent Drinking Water Inspectorate's ninth annual report, published on Wednesday, showed that of 336,135 tests carried out by North West Water last year, 99.6 per cent complied with both national and European standards. This compares with 99.78 per cent nationally.

The DWI has initiated enforcement action against North West Water requiring the company to modify existing or install new treatment works to deal with the problems.

Dr John Gray, Principal Inspector for the North West Region, said: "Although the number of tests meeting the standards is the same as last year, I am disappointed that still leaves 1,429 samples that failed to make the grade. Many of these failures included iron, manganese, lead and trihalomethanes in the water."

He said he was pleased that North West Water has introduced a programme of mains refurbishment to address problems involving discoloured water and high iron levels.

Water Quality Manager for North West Water Dr Keith Wilson said: "We are continuing to target areas where we realise we can make improvements such as lead levels. Here in the north west we enjoy some of the finest and safest drinking water in Europe. Our aim is the same as the DWI's, to ensure that this continues but also to make the further improvements that our customers want."

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