What is a Private Drinking Water Supply?

Here in the UK there are a number of companies and organisations that provide water, drainage and sewerage to the majority of households, covering a wide geographical area, across the whole of the UK. There are also companies that provide water only.

There are also many properties that are NOT connected to mains water and have their own private supply.

The quality of a private water supply can be variable. Some have adequate treatment and are well managed whilst others can present a risk to health due to the quality of the water.

If you own or use a private supply, it is important that you are aware of the quality of the supply and the risks associated with it. Owners and users must undertake certain measures, including:

  • ensuring the source is protected from contamination by grazing animals or material washing down from upstream
  • installing and maintaining appropriate treatment that is capable of treating water to a consistently satisfactory quality
  • ensuring the water is adequately disinfected prior to use
  • making sure that water is stored and distributed in a way that avoids it becoming contaminated after treatment and disinfection but before it is consumed

EAST MIDLANDS WATER COMPANY can give specific and practical advice about the best way to treat a private water supply in order to comply with the necessary regulations and potentially make a private supply a usable water supply. Please call us on 0116 276 3334 for our expert advice.