Private water supplies
Introduction
In general terms a private water supply is any water supply which is not provided by a water company. It is not a "mains" supply. About 1% of the population of England and Wales have private water supplies to their homes. Most private supplies are situated in the more remote, rural parts of the country. The source of the supply may be a well, borehole, spring, stream, river, lake or pond. The supply may serve just one property or several properties through a network of pipes.
DWI's role
As well as being the independent regulator of public drinking water supplies, DWI also have an advisory role in relation to Private Water Supplies (i.e. those not supplied by a water utility). DWI Inspectors are appointed Technical Advisors to both the Secretary of State (Defra) and Welsh Ministers on drinking water quality. This includes the provision of technical advice on Private Water Supplies and related issues. As part of that activity, DWI provides support and advice to Local Authorities, on all aspects of drinking water quality, including on Private Water Supplies.
The Private Water Regulations 2009 came in to force on 1 January 2010 and a summary note (PDF 42KB) is available for download.
The Chief Inspector's Report for Private Water Supply in England and Wales
Information on the approximate number and types of private water supplies can be seen in the 'Drinking water 2010' report for England (PDF 2.7MB) and Wales (PDF 1.7MB).
An information leaflet (PDF 193KB) (Welsh version (PDF 224KB)) on what the new regulations mean for owners and consumers is also available.
DWI also publishes advice in the form of Information letters, guidance, and research.
Guidance document
Guidance on Section 9 of the PWS: technical manual (PDF 508KB) April 2010
gives the legislative background for the Private Water Supplies Regulations 2009. It can be found in the Private Water Supplies: Technical Manual (www.privatewatersupplies.gov.uk) in section 9(E) ‘Legislative background’. The Technical Manual is the UK’s guidance document to assist professionals’ in regulating and maintain private water supplies.
This document is a ‘living’ document, which is designed to be used and commented on by professionals regulating and maintaining private water supplies.
An information leaflet (PDF 107KB) on Regulation 5 (or Regulation 4(a) in Wales) on the use of products and substances which come into contact with water in private water supplies, is also available.
Guidance on is also available on:
Roles and responsibilities of HPA, local authorities and DWI (PDF 227KB);
nitrate and private water supplies (PDF 188KB);
milking parlours served by a small private supply (PDF 159KB);
private distribution systems (PDF 278KB);
the use of ultraviolet (UV) irradiation (PDF 182KB) (written for public supplies, but the advice can be applied to PWS)
chlorine residual testing (PDF 278KB);
provision of alternative supplies in
emergency and non-emergency situations - CURRENTLY BEING AMENDED.
Please email any comments to DWI.Enquiries@defra.gsi.gov.uk.
Further information
If you are a local authority requiring technical support in resolving a water quality issue with a private water supply then please contact the DWI enquiry line on 030 0068 6400 or email: dwi.enquiries@defra.gsi.gov.uk who can put you in touch with the appropriate Inspector. Further useful technical information to support professionals in risk assessment of private water supplies can be found at http://www.privatewatersupplies.gov.uk/private_water/CCC_FirstPage.jsp.
If you are a consumer with a water quality issue with a private water supply then further information on how to keep your private supply safe can be found in the downloadable advice leafet (PDF 99KB) or, alternatively, contact the Environmental Health section at your local authority.
Page reviewed: 18 July 2011
Page modified: 31 October 2011