Today (09 January), Anglian Water has become the first water company in the UK to secure the latest Competent Operator Scheme (COS) certificate from the water industry competency assessment body Energy & Utility Skills, in close coordination with the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) regulator.
The mandated and upgraded scheme was signed off by all regulated water companies in 2017, working via Water UK. The new benchmark reflects the most up to date standards of competence and performance expected of operators within the industry. It is essential in ensuring the safety, and security, of drinking water supplies now, and for the future.
Anglian Water secured its certification, the first of any UK water company, for its continued high standards, after a rigorous quality assurance process from Energy & Utility Skills.
The original scheme was launched in 2005 after a collaboration between Water UK, the Drinking Water Inspectorate and Energy & Utility Skills. The upgraded assessment now looks to ensure new levels of operational excellence, good practice and compliance across the UK.
Today, Anglian Water’s Chief Executive, Peter Simpson collected the certificate from Nick Ellins, Chief Executive, Energy & Utility Skills and in the presence of Marcus Rink, Chief Inspector, Drinking Water Inspectorate.
Peter said: “We are committed to the training and development of our employees. Our Licence to Operate scheme has now been running for well over a decade and the Competent Operator Scheme demonstrates that we are working at a standard of excellence that is recognised by the rest of the water industry, and we’re delighted to have been recognised for this.”
Nick Ellins, Chief Executive of Energy & Utility Skills, said: “Congratulations to Anglian Water for being the first regulated water company in the UK to achieve the necessary quality assurance standards required for this new Competent Operator Scheme certification. This nationwide benchmark scheme is now an essential element of water quality assurance, with operator competence rightly embedded within the Principles of Water Supply Hygiene and water quality policy.
“As the water industry’s competency assessment body, Energy & Utility Skills has worked very closely with the UK’s water companies and its drinking water quality regulators to agree the most up to date standards of competence and performance expected of operators within the industry.”
Marcus Rink, Chief Inspector of the Drinking Water Inspectorate, said: “By securing their Competent Operator certificate under this excellent industry-led scheme, Anglian Water are to be congratulated on their commitment to best practice. We support and encourage all companies to have competent operators at the core of their water quality operations.”
Through the awarding of the new certificate, Anglian Water has had its processes certified according to a strict set of industry standards. The company has demonstrated its commitment to ensuring a high quality water supply, and also to its underlining workflow management to ensure safe and efficient working, productivity maximisation and workforce capability.
To find out more about the Competent Operator Scheme (COS) please contact us by phone on 0845 077 99 22 or email denise.mcglynn@euskills.co.uk