Frequently asked questions and useful references
| Frequently asked question (FAQ) | Inspectorate response |
|---|---|
| I have sampled a supply and detected a parameter in breach of the concentration or value in the regulations, what do I need to do? | Any breach in the regulations should be followed by a timely investigation in accordance with regulation 16 (18 in Wales). The outcome of the investigation will determine what actions are required to comply with the regulations and protect public health. Simply resampling the supply to obtain a different result does not constitute an investigation. Also, a single test in isolation does not necessarily ‘prove’ that a supply is always safe or compliant. Regardless of whether the parameter in question is considered a health-based one, any non-compliance with the standards must be investigated to identify the cause and mitigations put in place ensure that the water is wholesome and does not present a potential danger to human health. Local authorities are advised to review the supply risk assessment as part of this (this is not applicable to single dwelling supplies). If a local authority considers that a private supply is a potential danger to human health, it must act in accordance with regulation 15 (17 in Wales) to ensure that people likely to consumer water from the supply are properly informed, whilst the investigation is undertaken and remedial measures are put in place. If the investigation concludes that the supply constitutes a potential danger to human health, the local authority must serve a regulation 18 (20 in Wales) enforcement notice to require the necessary improvements. If the supply is shown to be unwholesome but does not pose a potential danger to human health, then the local authority may serve a section 80 [WIA 1991] notice at their discretion. The serving of a notice will depend on whether the cause is due to the distribution system within domestic premises or not, and or if the water is made available to the public. |
| What testing do I need to do on a private water supply? | Testing requirements for private water supplies are set out in the private water supplies regulations, they are dependent on the type of supply in question, and the outcome of the local authority risk assessment. Please see the Inspectorate’s guidance for local authorities on sampling requirements. Local authorities are the regulators of private water supplies, and they are responsible for arranging monitoring of PWS in their area to determine compliance with the drinking water standards. |
| There is a private supply which is used for brewing/food production etc, does it fall within scope of the regulations? | The important consideration is not whether a building or site is commercial, but whether the private water supply is being used as part of a commercial activity. For example, where it is being used as part of a food ingredient or it is provided for domestic purposes as part of a tenancy agreement. If water is used for human consumption for anything other than primary food production, then it must satisfy the Regulations. |
| Do the water fittings regulations apply to private supplies? | The water fittings (WF) regulations are only applicable to licenced “mains” water supplies and are there to prevent contamination and wastage of this public supply, therefore they do not apply to most private water supplies. However, as regulation 8 supplies are fed from the public mains water network, the WF regulations do apply. The local water company is the enforcer of the WF regulations, and they will be able to assist should you have any fittings queries relating to a Regulation 8 supply. Mixed supplies, where public and private supplies are mixed before use, must meet the requirements of both the public and private supply regulations. |
| There is a property using a rainwater harvesting system, does this fall under the regulations? | A rainwater or greywater system being used for domestic purposes (which includes toilet flushing and central heating) is a private water supply and therefore falls within scope of the regulations. |
| Topic | References |
|---|---|
| General issues with drinking water quality | Guidelines for drinking-water quality: fourth edition (who.int) Microbial Fact Sheets Chemical Fact Sheets Principles of water supply hygiene | Water UK |
| Common water quality problems for consumers | Learn more about your water – Drinking Water Inspectorate (dwi.gov.uk) |
| Microbiology issues | The Microbiology of Drinking Water (2002) – Part 1 – Water Quality and Public Health |
| Risk assessment | Water Sanitation and Health (who.int) Risk Assessment tools and tips – Drinking Water Inspectorate (dwi.gov.uk) |
| Sampling, analysis, and transportation of drinking water samples | Sampling & Monitoring – Drinking Water Inspectorate |