Regulations and plumbing

Since 1 July 1999 in England and Wales, all plumbing systems, water fittings and equipment supplied, or to be supplied, with water from the public water supply come under these regulations. This applies to systems in all types of premises including properties that use a private water supply and have a mains backup provided by water companies. The regulations apply from the point where water enters the property's underground service pipe to the point the water is used.

These regulations do not apply where a property uses a private water supply and doesn't have a supply of water from a water company. However, it is good plumbing practice to follow the requirements of the Regulations.

A legal duty is placed on all users, owners or occupiers and anyone who installs plumbing systems or water fittings to ensure they are installed and used in accordance with these regulations. Advanced notice must be given of proposed installations in most cases, so architects, building developers and plumbers have to follow the regulations on behalf of future owners or occupiers.

The application of the regulations cannot be back-dated. Any plumbing system or water fitting which was installed lawfully under the Water Supply Byelaws before the regulations came into force can still be used, even if its installation would not now be permitted by these regulations.

The regulations introduced the concept of Approved Contractors, more commonly known as Approved Plumbers. This is to identify qualified plumbers who are competent in the regulations. Approved Plumber status carries certain statutory responsibilities which benefit plumbers and their customers. These Approved Plumbers will certify the installation or maintenance work they have carried out complies with the regulations by issuing a certificate of compliance. If breaches of regulations are then found in the certified work, the legal responsibility falls upon the Approved Plumber and not on the owner or occupier. Anglian Water has its own Approved Plumber Scheme, known as Aplus. Search our online database for an approved plumber in your area.

If you are a plumber/contractor or carrying out work you should obtain a set of the regulations, amendments and the guidance documents from HMSO or a Water Regulations Guide from WRAS and ensure that you carry out work according to these regulations. Alternatively you could apply to join the Anglian Water’s Aplus scheme to become an Approved Plumber.

If you are having work carried out on your behalf you should ensure that the person or company you employ is aware of the regulations and any plumbing work you have done is carried out in accordance with them. One way of achieving this is to employ an Anglian Water Approved Plumber who will be familiar with the regulations, be sure that you receive a certificate for the work carried out.

Plumbing fittings

It is not illegal to sell unsuitable fittings and appliances but to install one would be illegal, so check suitability before purchase. The regulations detail standards for suitability and the Water Fittings and Materials Directory, published by the WRAS, gives up-to-date details of a wide range of items which have been tested and proved to comply, when installed correctly, and can be accessed from their website.

Search our online database for an approved plumber in your area.

The Government requires water suppliers to enforce the regulations within their area of supply as with the previous Water Supply Byelaws. Anglian Water will undertake inspections of new and existing installations to check that the regulations are being met. Where breaches of the regulations are found, Anglian Water will require them to be remedied as soon as practicable. Where breaches pose a risk to health, the water supply to the premises may be disconnected immediately to protect the health of occupants or others fed from the same public supply. The Government has deemed the risk such, that it is a criminal offence to breach the regulations and offenders may face prosecution.

If we are not your water supplier you can find your local regulation contact from the Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS) to find an Anglian Water approved plumber.

The regulations (SI 1999 No. 1148 and No. 1506) and their schedules are available online and can be purchased from HMSO. In addition the Government's guidance document relating to the schedules is also available online. The text of all these documents is included along with detailed water industry guidance and interpretation in the Water Regulations Guide which can be purchased directly from WRAS.

Anglian Water cannot provide a design service for installations but we will try to answer individual queries from customers, designers, builders and installers about the interpretation of the regulations but WRAS can also provide interpretation advice. We can provide copies of the regulations upon request.

For more information contact:-

Anglian Water

The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999

SI 1999 No1148

SI 1999 No1506 (amendment)

Defra's information page on the Regulations

Government's Guidance Document

Water Regulations Guide and Water Fittings and Materials Directory

Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS)
Fern Close
Pen-y-Fan
Industrial Estate
Oakdale
Gwent
NP11 3EH

Tel: 01495 248454
www.wras.co.uk

Following a recent incident the Health and Safety Executive identified that poor or incorrect installation of cold water storage cisterns can put occupiers at risk should a fault occur in the heating system. More information is available on our landlords page regarding advice issued by HSE and the Water Regulations Advisory Service.