Private water supplies in Scotland are more likely to fail stringent water quality tests than public supplies, warns the UK plumber approval body WaterSafe. WaterSafe is highlighting the risk to public health as figures from the Drinking Water Quality Regulator1 show more than 10 per cent of tests on privately
SNIPEF, the Scotland and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employer’s Federation, is supporting the launch of a new campaign to help keep customers’ tap water fresh by signing up qualified plumbers in Northern Ireland to a UK-wide plumbing register. Northern Ireland Water and WaterSafe, the UK-wide accreditation body for competent and qualified plumbers,
BDC 319 : Aug 2024
Private water supplies in Scotland are more likely to fail stringent water quality tests than public supplies, warns the UK plumber approval body WaterSafe. WaterSafe is highlighting the risk to public health as figures from the Drinking Water Quality Regulator1 show more than 10 per cent of tests on privately owned and operated water networks failed to meet drinking water quality standards in the latest published results. This is an increase on 6.5 per cent last year and 125 times the rate of failures in public drinking water supplied by Scottish Water, which continues to be among the safest in the world. Local authorities are responsible for regulating private water supplies – carrying out risk assessments and monitoring them. Each year the Drinking Water Quality Regulator, which regulates public supplies, publishes a report on private supplies based on the local authorities’ findings. These findings have prompted WaterSafe and the Drinking Water Quality Regulator to urge private water supply owners and operators not to take any chances when it comes to protecting their networks – and customers – from potential contamination. About 200,000 people in Scotland receive their drinking water from private water supplies, which supply homes, as well as schools, community halls, hotels, caravan parks, B&Bs and other businesses. Water samples failed due to a number of reasons, including poor water quality at the source, insufficient treatment of the water or poor or no maintenance of the plumbing and treatment systems. Julie Spinks, Director of WaterSafe, said: “There are more than 22,453 registered private water supplies in Scotland which supply drinking water to nearly 200,000 customers across households and businesses, but this report shows a worrying proportion of the samples taken have been deemed unsafe. “Our message to those who own and operate these networks and sources of water is very clear – always be sure to employ a qualified plumber, such as WaterSafe approved as they are properly trained and competent in the water regulations which govern public water supplies. It makes sense to apply these same standards to private supplies to keep them equally healthy and avoid the risk of contamination right up to the tap.” Sue Petch, the Drinking Water Quality Regulator, said: “It is concerning that the quality of private water supplies is not improving. It is vital that these supplies are improved so that people using them have a safe and reliable supply of drinking water. “Local authorities can offer advice and support as well as enabling access to a Scottish Government grant to make improvements. “Private water supplies have many risks, and it is vital that those working on them are competent to do so. We support WaterSafe, as its register of approved plumbers is there to help those responsible for protecting public health make an informed choice and not least ensure any work is done safely by a skilled and competent plumber using approved materials.” The annual Drinking Water Quality Report for public and private water supplies can be read at https://dwqr.scot/information/annual-report/. To find your nearest WaterSafe approved plumber in Scotland, simply enter your postcode online at watersafe.org.uk
SNIPEF, the Scotland and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employer’s Federation, is supporting the launch of a new campaign to help keep customers’ tap water fresh by signing up qualified plumbers in Northern Ireland to a UK-wide plumbing register. Northern Ireland Water and WaterSafe, the UK-wide accreditation body for competent and qualified plumbers, want to tackle the poor plumbing in the home or workplace which can create such problems as strange taste, discolouration, and leaks, by signing up all of the Province’s plumbers to its WaterSafe register. Legally speaking, when water leaves Northern Ireland Water’s mains and enters the pipes supplying a property it becomes the owner’s responsibility to keep it safe and free from contamination. By working together with skilled professionals, however, many of these issues can be avoided altogether or rapidly resolved. Plumbers on the register are fully trained in the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations (Northern Ireland 2009), designed to keep water safe, and not waste it, as well as being appropriately insured with a customer redress scheme in place. In addition, plumbers on the WaterSafe register can self-notify their work to Northern Ireland Water – and issue a certificate stating that the plumbing work complies with the regulations, which protects customers from any legal comeback. Fiona Hodgson, CEO of SNIPEF said, “As an approved WaterSafe scheme provider SNIPEF is all about promoting high standards, quality work, professionalism and regulation in the industry. “We want to ensure that only qualified professionals can carry out plumbing and heating work so that the water is kept safe. Being WaterSafe registered is a way to do this and we encourage qualified Northern Irish operatives to join the register by contacting SNIPEF.” Becoming a SNIPEF member allows qualified plumbers to become WaterSafe registered for no extra cost. Other benefits from becoming a SNIPEF member include access to specialist advice, industry discounts, free listing on its Need a Plumber website and much more. Julie Spinks, director of WaterSafe, said: “Being a member of WaterSafe is a great way for competent plumbers to provide immediate reassurance to their customers that they are qualified to do the job and keep their drinking water safe. “WaterSafe is supported by all the water companies in the UK, as well as the water industry regulator, the Drinking Water Inspectorate. Membership comes with many benefits and we urge plumbers who are proud of their work and want to find out more about joining, or taking the final training steps to join, to get in touch today. Members of WaterSafe will benefit from; free promotion and branding, customer reassurance and a direct link to Northern Ireland Water. To join WaterSafe, plumbers must be qualified, have a water regulations certificate, and be a member of an existing approved contractors’ scheme. In Northern Ireland this can be the Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers’ Federation or the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering. Once a member of one of these schemes, plumbers can join WaterSafe for free. Plumbers interested in finding out more can visit watersafe.org.uk/howtojoin or call 0333 207 9030. For more information on a SNIPEF membership call 0131 556 0600 option 1.
