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Appointment of Chief Drinking Water Inspector

   

INFORMATION BULLETIN

Ref: 177/09
Date: 30 July 2009

The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Hilary Benn, and the Welsh Assembly Government Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing, Jane Davidson, have reappointed Professor Jeni Colbourne MBE as Chief Inspector of the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) for England and Wales.

This reappointment took effect from April 2009 and is a fixed term appointment for four years. Professor Colbourne has more than 30 years’ experience in the water industry and was first appointed Chief Drinking Water Inspector by the Secretary of State in April 2003.

The DWI oversees drinking water quality in England and Wales.

Notes to editors

  1. The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) was established in 1989 to regulate public water supplies in England and Wales. DWI is responsible for assessing the quality of drinking water in England and Wales, taking enforcement action if standards are not being met, and taking appropriate action when water is unfit for human consumption.
  2. Professor Jeni Colbourne has a PhD and BSc (Hons) Microbiology from the University of Surrey. She is a Chartered Biologist, Member of the Royal Institute of Biology, Fellow of the Institute of Biomedical Sciences, and Fellow of the Institute of Environmental Management. She was awarded the MBE for services to Public Health and Water Industry in New Year 2000 honours list.

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Page published: 30 July 2009