Water Regulations for your business
Did you know all premises that have a water supply from Welsh Water are legally required to ensure their plumbing systems comply with The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999? Essentially, everything on a customer’s side of the boundary is required to comply.
If you don’t know what is covered by the regulations, then you can find a diagram explaining them below. While Welsh Water owns and fixes the section on the far left of the diagram, the Regulations apply to the two sections on the right: your private supply pipework and your internal pipework and fittings.
Why are the regulations in place?
These regulations are in place to protect public health by aiming to prevent the waste, misuse, undue consumption, erroneous measurement, and contamination of water we supply to our customers.
We enforce these regulations on behalf of DEFRA and the Welsh Government and they are essential in protecting public health and the water supply.
We carry out inspections on some of the premises we supply to make sure their plumbing systems comply with these regulations, but we also offer help and support to customers to achieve this compliance through other aspects of our work.
Below is some information on what you can do to comply and how we can help and support you.
How can I comply with the regulations?
- Provide notification for any plumbing works
If you are altering or extending an existing non-domestic plumbing system, then we need to be notified before any works are carried out. This allows us to support you in making sure your planned works are compliant with the regulations. This will save any timely or costly alterations when we come to inspect the finished works.
You can find out more information about when and how to notify us here. - Use WaterSafe Approved Contractors
Did you know that WaterSafe is the national register for approved contractors, such as plumbers and water supply pipe installers? WaterSafe members are suitably insured professionals with a knowledge of the Regulations, meaning that using WaterSafe approved contractors provides you with the reassurance that work they complete will comply. Find your local approved plumber here:
Watersafe - Local Approved Plumbers
Find your nearest, Watersafe-approved plumber, just enter your postcode or use your location.
If you manage or contract out to plumbers who are not WaterSafe approved, then we may be able to offer those qualified plumbers eligible for WaterSafe membership free Water Regulations training to help them get approved. Get in touch at WaterRegulations@dwrcymru.com for further information or to register your interest.
- Get Water Regulations awareness presentations from us
We also offer Water Regulations awareness sessions, aimed at those who do not need the same level of knowledge as an installer.
These sessions can be tailored to focus on aspects that are relevant to you and will highlight the importance of compliance for our customers. Contact us at WaterRegulations@dwrcymru.com to request a session. - Help us complete any water regulations inspections
We conduct inspections on some of the premises we supply to make sure they are compliant to the regulations. These inspections are an important part of our duty to make sure our network and water supply remains safe for our customers.
One of the core parts of this inspection is making sure there is adequate backflow protection in place for any risks identified. You can watch this short video which demonstrates what backflow is and why protection must be in place to prevent it from occurring on your plumbing system:
Should you have an inspection and things are required to be put right, then we will issue you with an infringement notice. You can find more information on these in the leaflets below.
Helpful leaflets
Here are some leaflets to provide you with further information on the regulations and what you can do to comply.
Water Regulations Enforcement Policy 2021
Water Regulations General Information Leaflet
Water Regulations Agricultural Premises Information Leaflet
Water Regulations - Information for Developers, Designers and Installers
Code of practice for Leakage - Non Household Customers 2020-2021
Water Regulations - how they affect your business
Related Help and Advice
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Notification and testing of works
If you are installing a new water connection or RPZ, we need to inspect the work to ensure it meets regulations. Download the notification form here.
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Reduced Pressure Zone (RPZ) Valves
If you have an RPZ valve installed at your premises or think you have a need to install one, there are some things you should know first.
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Regulations for private water supply
If your supply is from a private source and is connected to our supply, it needs to meet regulations. Find out how the DWI should inspect your supply.
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Water regulation advice and guidance
Information on how Welsh Water inspects installations and connections to ensure compliance with regulations.
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WaterSafe supply pipe installers
When laying water supplies for your development, we recommend using an installer that is listed by WaterSafe, the national register for approved contractors.
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WaterSafe plumbers
At Welsh Water, we encourage the use of qualified and experienced professionals when carrying out any plumbing work. That’s why we promote the use of WaterSafe members to all our customers.
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WC Compliance
If installing new toilets in England or Wales, you need to ensure any new installations contain compliant backflow protection to reduce risks to public health.
More questions?
You can find out more information about the regulations here.
If you have any questions please feel free to get in touch on WaterRegulations@dwrcymru.com and we will be more than happy to help.