The Water Fittings Regulations (or Byelaws in Scotland) are national 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. They replace the former Water Supply Byelaws which each water supplier has administered for similar purposes for many years.
Where do they apply?
Since 1 July 1999 in England and Wales, 4 April 2000 in Scotland* and 3 August 2009 in Northern Ireland, all plumbing systems, water fittings and equipment supplied, or to be supplied, from the public water supply come under these regulations (byelaws). This applies to systems in all types of premises. The regulations (byelaws) apply from the point where water enters the property’s underground service pipe. Premises without a public water supply connection are not governed by these regulations.
[*The Scottish Byelaws were updated with effect from 30 August 2004]
Who has to comply with the Regulations?
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. Advanced notice must be given of proposed installations in most cases, so architects, building developers and plumbers have to follow the regulations on behalf of future owners or occupiers.
Are the Regulations retrospective?
This question refers to water fittings which were installed before the regulations (byelaws) came into force. Where fittings were ‘lawfully installed’, which means installed in accordance with the preceding byelaws in force at the time, the current regulations (byelaws) cannot require use of the fittings to cease, nor require their removal, replacement, alteration or disconnection (Regulation (Byelaw) 2 paragraph (4)).
However, if in the opinion of the water supplier these 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.
Enforcement
The Government requires water suppliers to enforce the regulations. Water Suppliers can provide copies of their Codes of Practice on Enforcement. As with the previous Supply Byelaws, water suppliers will undertake inspections of new and existing installations to check that the regulations are being met. Where breaches of the regulations are found, the water supplier will require them to be remedied as soon as practicable. Where breaches pose a risk to health, the water supply to the premises may be disconnected immediately to protect the health of occupants or others fed from the same public supply. It is a criminal offence to breach the regulations and offenders may face prosecution.
How do the regulations affect you?
- Your plumbing system must be installed and maintained to comply with the regulations.
- You must prevent contamination of drinking water.
- You must give advanced notification of installation work.
- You may benefit from using an Approved Plumbing Contractor.
Information Updated on: 2 February 2012
