WRAS, the UK’s leading water regulations body, is urging anyone planning plumbing work to make sure they know the ‘water law’ before they start - many of the UK water companies are supporting the initiative with localised campaigns.

In many cases, work on new and existing plumbing systems, and some types of water installations, needs to be notified to, and approved by, the local water supplier before it can begin. This is to make sure it meets the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations and Byelaws that are designed to keep drinking water supplies safe and healthy.

The warning does not solely apply to plumbers – businesses, homeowners, landlords and tenants all need to follow the regulations which apply to many types of domestic and commercial plumbing.

Plumbing work on a wide range of activities must comply with the regulations – from building new houses and extending business premises , to everyday work such as installing certain types of bidets or large baths

Julie Spinks, Managing Director of WRAS, said:

“The UK enjoys high-quality, safe drinking water and we want to make sure it stays that way.

“Unfortunately very few people are aware of their legal responsibilities to ensure certain types of plumbing work comply with these important regulations.

“Getting permission is quick and free, but failure to notify your local water supplier could result in extra cost to put poor plumbing right or, worse, contamination of water supplies and a court prosecution.

“Our message is simple – if you are planning some plumbing installation work, take a few minutes to seek professional advice from your local water supplier, the WRAS or an WaterSafe approved plumber who is familiar with the regulations.”

The notification and consent process takes up to 10 days and there is no charge for the service. In many cases, the water supplier will simply need a description of the planned work and the contact details of those undertaking it.

Types of plumbing work that must be notified to water suppliers include:

• Building a house or other property/structure
• Extending or altering the water system on a non-household building
• Changing the use of a building or installing water systems, such as rainwater harvesting
• Installing a swimming pool or pond over 10,000 litres
• A garden watering system (unless operated by hand)
• A bath which holds more than 230 litres of water
• A bidet with an upward spray or flexible hose
• A pump or booster that delivers more than 12 litres of water per minute
• A reverse osmosis unit (for cleaning water)
• A water treatment unit which produces waste water
• A reduced pressure zone (RPZ) valve assembly or similar

The list is not exhaustive and there are extra requirements in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

South West Water is among the water companies who are supporting the campaign to urge people who are planning plumbing work to make sure they are aware of water regulations before they start.

Bob Taylor, Operations Director for Drinking Water Services at South West Water, said:

"Homes and businesses in the UK enjoy high-quality, safe drinking water and it's important it stays that way.”

"To ensure it does, we're trying to raise awareness among our customers of their responsibility to make sure that certain types of plumbing work comply with these important regulations.

"As drinking water safety is our priority, we're happy to back the campaign by the Water Regulations Advisory Service (WRAS) which has a simple message at its core - if you're planning some plumbing installation work, take a few minutes to seek professional advice."