Private water regulations

The Private Water Supplies Regulations apply to all private water supplies intended for human consumption.

This means they apply to water for domestic purposes (e.g. drinking, cooking, food preparation and washing) and water used for food production purposes. These supplies include:

1. Water from a well, borehole or spring, which is supplied from someone other than a Water Undertaker or Licensed water supplier, or;

2. Water supplied by Water Undertaker or Licensed water supplier, which is then further distributed by another person (a “private distribution network”). Examples of private distribution networks will be published in Guidance.

The Regulations require Local Authorities to complete a risk assessment of all Private Water Supplies (PWS) and to provide ongoing monitoring PWS.

Local Authorities can make reasonable charges, to cover their costs for carrying out their duties under the Regulations, up to the maximum limits set out in the regulations.

FWT recommend that a set of control documents are kept and updated to establish a record of the supply in line with the regulations; we would be happy to assist you with this or alternatively can supply a skeleton document for you to complete.

More information regarding the regulations can be found through the DWI in England and Wales and through DWQR for Scotland.