Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations
The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 are national requirements for the design, installation and maintenance of plumbing systems, water fittings and water-using appliances.
What the regulations are for
The regulations prevent waste, misuse, undue consumption, erroneous measurement and prevent contamination.
Where the regulations apply
The regulations apply to all plumbing systems, water fittings and water-using equipment connected to the public water network.
The regulations apply from the point water enters the property’s underground private supply pipe.
Premises without a public water supply connection are not governed by these regulations.
How the regulations apply to you
Owners and occupiers of premises and anyone who installs plumbing systems or water fittings have a legal duty to ensure their plumbing system(s) satisfy the Regulations.
Architects, building developers, plumbers and underground supply pipe installers must follow the regulations on behalf of the owners or occupiers.
Water Fittings Regulations training
Severn Trent are reaching out to colleges in their region to help support the development of plumbing students in their knowledge and application of the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999.
To enable us to do this our experienced Water Fittings Technicians visit the college to give a presentation on the Regulations, how they impact plumbing practices and affect water quality standards.
Alternatively, you may wish to visit our brand new training academy in Coventry!
All training and educational awareness sessions are free of charge. The upskilling sessions are ideally suited to level 3 plumbing students and last for approximately two hours.
You can contact us to request this on 0345 266 7922 or by email.
Notifying the water company of work
In most cases, those persons responsible for the design and installation of the plumbing work(s) must give us advance notice of proposed work. It is not possible to begin work until we have given our consent.
Consent will not be withheld unreasonably, and may be granted subject to conditions, which must be followed.
If consent is not given within ten working days, it is deemed to have been granted.
The installer and/or occupier of the premises must make sure all work undertaken meets the Regulations.
Enforcing the regulations
The legal standards for plumbing systems in the UK are set out under the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999. The Regulations are produced by DEFRA and the Government require us, the Water Undertaker to enforce the Regulations.
We will inspect installations, in line with our enforcement policy [PDF].
As the designer, installer, owner or occupier of the premises , it is your legal duty to ensure your plumbing system, or the systems that you are working on meet the appropriate standards.
Where we find breaches of the regulations, we will issue an enforcement notice on the responsible person(s) to rectify the work(s) detailed in our report.
Carrying out plumbing work at inland waterways and marinas
If you need to carry out plumbing work at an inland waterway or marina, please refer to the industry best practice guidance for inland and coastal marine work [PDF].
The guidance document was produced in collaboration with key stakeholders in the sector to ensure any works undertaken comply with the Regulations.
Contact our team
You can contact our Water Regulations team by email, you can call on 0345 266 7922 or write to:
Severn Trent, Water Fittings Dept
West Service Road, Raynesway
Derby DE21 7BE