A private water supply is any water supply which is not provided by a water utility company.
The source of the supply may come from:
- wells
- boreholes
- springs
- rivers or streams
- lakes or ponds
- a private distribution system (mains water which is privately distributed by a second party)
The supply can serve just one property or several properties through a network of pipes.
If you have a private water supply or are planning to install one, you must ensure you register the supply with us.
You can register your supply by sending your details to our Environmental Health Team at ehtechsupport@staffordbc.gov.uk.
This is so that we can:
- carry out risk assessment and monitoring if required under the The Private Water Supplies (England) Regulations 2016 as amended
- advise the appropriate agencies to ensure there is no risk to your supply’s catchment area (for example, advising persons undertaking bio-solid spreading on land that there are private water supplies which may be affected)
- inform you of potential contamination threats to aquifers that may serve your supply
- notify you of any updates of legislation involving private water supplies and your responsibilities.
The Private Water Supplies (England) Regulations 2016 as amended
There are four categories under the regulations, each requiring different levels of monitoring by us:
- Large supplies - a water supply serving over 50 people; or produces more than 10 metres squared per day of water; or is used for commercial purposes, for example, rented properties, holiday lets, a bed and breakfast; or is public premises. These supplies require sampling at least once a year and a risk assessment undertaken every five years. If you are a tenant in rented accommodation that is served by a private water supply, please check with your landlord, or us, that the private water supply is registered with us so we can check that the water supply is wholesome and safe to drink.
- Small supplies - a water supply serving two or more premises; produces less than 10 metres squared of water; and is not used for commercial purposes, or for public premises. These supplies require sampling and a risk assessment every five years.
- Single supplies - a water supply that serves only one private domestic dwelling where no commercial activity takes place (Rented properties would not fall into this category because of the commercial use). These supplies will only be sampled and risk assessed at the owner's request.
- Private distribution systems - a water supply that is supplied by a water company and then further distributed by the account holder to a third party, for example, caravan parks. These supplies require a risk assessment every five years and sampling at a frequency dependent of the outcome of the risk assessment.
Once your supply is registered, we use this information to ensure the water supply is being monitored sufficiently.
If the property being served by a private water supply has commercial use, or you intend to change this to commercial use, you will need to inform us immediately.
Further guidance on the Private Water Supplies (England) Regulations 2016 (as amended) is available at the Drinking Water Inspectorate (dwi.gov.uk).
Fees and Charges
We will charge the costs of carrying out our duties under these regulations to those responsible for the supply.
Where part of a shared supply is used by some commercial activity, the charges may be divided between the commercial and non-commercial properties proportionally.
Our fees and charges.
Planning Applications
We're consulted on many activities, such as planning applications, which could affect a private water supply if they are located close to the source of the supply. It's essential that we are aware of the location of private water supplies so we can access this information when making a decision.
It's also essential that we are able to contact everyone who may be using the supply in the event of a problem with the supply.
Sampling Process
We're required to safeguard public health by ensuring that private water supplies are wholesome and safe to drink requiring quality standards similar to those of mains water supply.
All parts of your supply should be routinely monitored and inspected to ensure that it is in good working order, and has not been interfered with or damaged.
Any products or treatment used on the supply must be featured on the DWI list of approved products. The supply must be appropriately protected throughout, from source to point-of-use.
This should include a maintenance programme to clean the distribution system and storage tanks or header tanks, and to ensure that any treatment works are operating as they should and according to manufacturer’s guidelines.
If you would like another company to take and analyse samples of your private water supply, we will need to approve the sampling company and the parameters to be analysed, prior to samples being taken.
Samples from private water supplies will normally be taken from a consumer tap and then sent for analysis at an approved laboratory. The analysis must comply with the new legislation, and we will need to be sent the result certificates directly from the laboratory.
The sampling frequency and the extent of the analysis needed will depend on the results of the risk assessment.
Risk Assessments
The regulations require each supply (excluding private domestic dwellings) to undergo a risk assessment every 5 years to determine how regularly the supply needs to be tested and for which parameters, for example, types of bacteria or chemicals.
Risk assessments will normally be carried out by prior appointment and, where possible, details of what needs to be inspected will be provided prior to the site visit.
This is to ensure the owner or occupier has the opportunity to arrange access to the water system or arrange for someone with detailed knowledge of the system to be there. This can reduce the amount of time we are required on site which can also reduce the cost.
On completion of your risk assessment, we will explain how often the supply needs to be sampled, based on the risks identified.
You will receive the assessment report, and a copy will be retained for 30 years at the council.
Risk assessments can only be performed by us or by persons we have deemed competent.
Investigations
Any sample that fails to meet the prescribed concentrations laid out in the Private Water Supply Regulations must have an investigation to determine the reason for the failure and to identify what action is needed to improve the supply.
This may mean further sampling being conducted at the source, holding tanks and/or other parts of the infrastructure to assist the investigation.
If a wholesome supply cannot be achieved through implementing physical changes to the supply network, the water will require treatment before use. A wide range of treatment options are available.
Notices
In the event of failure, where a supply is found to be 'unwholesome' or a 'risk to human health', a notice will be served either prohibiting or restricting the supply, as appropriate. The notice will be specific for each supply that has a failure of standards.
This notice can be appealed in a Magistrate's Court and/or by appeal to the Secretary of State, but the notice will remain in force until either it has been complied with or it is suspended by the Courts/Secretary of State.