WATER SUPPLY (WATER FITTINGS) REGULATIONS 1999

These regulations outline controls on water fittings installed or used where water is supplied by a water undertaker.  

These regulations are made under the Water Industry Act 1991 and apply to any water fitting installed or used, or to be installed or used, in premises to which water is or is to be supplied by a water undertaker. They mainly apply to water supplied for domestic or food production purposes and do not generally apply to industrial premises, provided that:  

• the water is metered;
• the supply of the water is for a period not exceeding one month, or, with the written consent of the water undertaker, three months; and 
• no water can return through the meter to any pipe vested in a water undertaker.

These regulations do not require the removal, replacement, alteration or disconnection of any water fitting which was lawfully installed or used (or capable of being used) before 1st July 1999.  

The regulations require that, no person shall install a water fitting to convey or receive water supplied by a water undertaker, or alter, disconnect or use such a water fitting; or cause or permit such a water fitting to be installed, altered, disconnected or used,  

In addition, no water fitting should be installed, connected, arranged or used in such a manner that it causes or is likely to cause waste, misuse, undue consumption or contamination of water supplied by a water undertaker; or the erroneous measurement of water supplied by a water undertaker.  

Every water fitting is required to be of an appropriate quality and standard; and be suitable for the circumstances in which it is used e.g. it bears an appropriate CE marking, conforms to an appropriate standard or specification approved by the regulator.

if the following work is being conducted, approved consent from the water authority must be obtained prior to work being conducted:

• Erection of any new building or structure;
• Extension or alteration of the water system in any premises except a domestic dwelling;
• Material change in use of any premises;
• Installation of any fitting listed in section 5 of the Regulations or
• Construction of a large pond or swimming pool with automatic replenishment.

The regulations established a requirement for approved contractors. Approved contractors have certain statutory duties to ensure compliance with the regulations. Plumbers are approved either through:

• a water authority scheme (for Anglian, Severn Trent, Thames and Yorkshire Water); 
• the national Water Industry Approved Plumbers Scheme; or 
• a scheme approved by DEFRA (Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering - CIPHE; the Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employer's Federation - SNIPEF; or the Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors APHC).

Applicability

This legislation is applicable to Ardagh's sites within England 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 Yorkshiore 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
Towns Water