The Water Industry Act 1991

Water undertakers are responsible for the enforcement of the Water Regulations

• The Water Industry Act 1991 places duties and responsibilities on:
  • suppliers of water (that it should be clean, free from impurities and fit for drinking)
  • the installer and owner (for all fittings and is liable to maintain them)
  • £1200 - penalty for each offence
    
    

Water Supply (water fittings) Regulations 1999

• Water Supply (water fittings) Regulations 1999 (replaced 1986 water By-laws) online version
  • Part 1 - defining terms used in the Regulations and explaining what they apply to
  • Part 2 - quality or standard of water fittings and their installation
  • Schedule 2 - requirements for water fittings (most of the information plumbers need to know)
  • Part 3 - requirements for Approved Contractors and water Undertakers
  • Schedule 3 - covers the Byelaws revoked
    
    

Other documents

• Approved Guidance Document (by WRAS) - explains in more details the expectations of the Regulations
• Water Regulations Guide (by WRAS) - gives practical advice on compliance with the regulations and how they can be achieved
  
• The Water Regulations Advisory Committee has made recommendations for requirements suggested that the use of recycled water could make significant contributions to water conservation
  
• Department of the Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs DEFRA - owns the regulations
  reed more
  
• WRAS - contains details of the Approved Contractor Scheme (WIAPS)
  • to find an approved plumber
    
    
• WIAPS - water industry approved plumber scheme
  
  
• BS 3505:1986 - specification for unplasticized polyvinyl chloride (I) pressure pipes for cold potable water
• BS 6572:1985 - specification for blue polyethylene pipes up to nominal size 63 for below ground use for potable water