Yes, for some types of plumbing installation you need to tell your water company before work starts, under the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999. Many everyday jobs do not need notice, but certain installations, such as some large baths, pumps and garden watering systems, do.
The rules are there to protect drinking water and prevent waste, misuse and contamination. Knowing whether they apply can help you plan the work and avoid problems later.
What the Rules Are For
The water fittings regulations apply to plumbing connected to the public water supply in England and Wales. They aim to make sure fittings are suitable, installed properly and do not allow dirty water to flow back into the drinking water supply.
They cover things such as the materials used, how fittings are installed and how water is protected from backflow, where water could flow the wrong way into the supply.
Notification gives the water company the chance to check that the planned work meets the regulations before it is carried out.
Examples of Work That May Need Notice
The regulations list several types of work that must be notified. These include:
- Erecting a new building or structure, or a material change in how premises are used
- A bath with a capacity of more than 230 litres
- A pump or booster that draws more than 12 litres a minute
- A garden watering system that is not operated by hand
- A pond or pool of more than 10,000 litres that refills automatically
- Some water treatment units that discharge waste water
This is not the full list, and some work by approved contractors does not need advance notice. Your water company can confirm what applies to your plans.
How Notification Works
WaterSafe says the water company will usually need a description of the work, a plan or diagram, the contact details of the person authorising it and details of the plumber or plumbing business. It also says getting permission is quick and free.
If you are using a plumber, it is reasonable to ask whether the work needs notifying and who will handle it.
Not notifying when you should can lead to extra costs to put work right and, in serious cases, enforcement action. It is worth checking before work starts rather than afterwards.
Planning Your Installation
If you are planning new plumbing, such as an extension, a large bath, a pumped shower or an outside watering system, ask about notification early. It can affect timing as well as the design. Building regulations may also apply to some work, which is a separate process.
Our page on plumbing installation in Poole explains how new plumbing installations are planned and carried out.
If you are planning new plumbing in your Poole home or business, a plumber can talk through the work and what may need checking before it starts.