Private water supplies

Private water supplies and sampling

Water which isn't from a mains supply often becomes contaminated with micro-organisms like E.coli and can absorb minerals such as iron and manganese. The contamination might make you seriously ill or give the water an unpleasant taste, and can cause problems with staining laundry or baths. We can provide analysis and offer advice on treatment for your supply.

Government Regulations require that we categorise private water supplies by carrying out a risk assessment. The risk assessment will determine the number of samples taken and the parameters to be analysed.

Private water supplies are classified into one of the following three categories.

Large supplies and supplies to commercial premises

Applies to large supplies using more than 10m3 of water per day (or supplies 50 people or more) serving several domestic dwellings, or to private supplies where the water is used for a commercial activity e.g. public house, dairy farm. We are required to undertake a risk assessment of each supply, which will determine the future sampling requirements.

Shared domestic supplies

Applies to any supplies that provide an average daily volume of less than 10m3 per day and the source is shared by more than one domestic dwelling. We are required to undertake a risk assessment of each supply within a fixed period and you will be contacted by letter within this time period to arrange for the risk assessment to be completed.

Single private dwellings

If the supply is to a single domestic property, then you are not obliged to have your supply inspected and tested but you are encouraged to do so. We are required to carry out a risk assessment if requested to do so by the owner or occupier. This service is usually chargeable.

How to request that a sample is tested