THE WATER BYELAWS 2000 (SCOTLAND)

The Water Byelaws (Scotland) 2000 (amended 2004) are requirements for the design, installation and maintenance of plumbing systems, water fittings and water-using appliances. Their purpose is to prevent misuse, waste, undue consumption or erroneous measurement of water and, most importantly, to prevent contamination of drinking water. The Byelaws apply from 4 April 2000 and are not retrospective. However, if in the opinion of the water supplier any fittings give rise to a significant risk of contamination or waste of water, even if they complied with the byelaws in force at the time of installation, the water supplier can insist on improvements, using the Water Industry Acts.

Owners and occupiers of premises and anyone who installs plumbing systems or water fittings have the legal duty to ensure that the systems satisfy the regulations. The byelaws are enforced by Scottish Water.  It is a criminal offence to breach the regulations and offenders may face prosecution.

Plumbing systems must be designed, installed and maintained to meet the regulations’ requirements.  Plumbing must be properly installed and maintained to protect water quality, to ensure safety, ease of access for maintenance, detection of leakage, protection against damage or freezing etc. Where water or water-using equipment is used with fluids or materials which could contaminate it, there must be adequate protection to stop backflow of potentially contaminated water into other parts of the system, especially drinking water. The regulations define Fluid Risk Categories by the type of contaminants which are present and specify the appropriate type of prevention device which must be fitted to guard against backflow.

In most cases, before any proposed installation starts, the installer, owner or occupier must obtain the water supplier’s consent by giving advanced notice of the work.  An Approved Plumber will provide a certificate to state that his or her installation or maintenance work satisfies the regulations. If breaches of regulations are found in the certified work, the legal responsibility falls upon the Approved Plumber and not on the owner or occupier.

Applicability

This legislation applies to the Portland site in Irvine only.

Under this legislation, Ardagh Glass must ensure that appropriate arrangements are in place to ensure: water supplied to the site cannot return through the pipes; that hoses are not left attached to taps or are fitted with non-return valves and that water is not used in an inefficient manner. The company must also ensure that plumbers are suitably qualified in accordance with requirements of Scottish Water's approved contractor's scheme.

The company representative stated that Ardagh has a water reduction plan in place.  Furthermore, the company has an ongoing objective to reduce water consumption.

No non-compliance issues have ever been raised in relation to this legislation.

Related Aspects
Fire Towns Water