Private water supplies

Introduction

A private water supply is any water supply that is not provided by a water utility company. Water companies include Wessex Water, South West Water and Bristol Water.

In rural areas, the only source of drinking water is often a private supply. The source could be a spring, a well, a borehole, a river, a stream or a pond. A private water supply might serve one property, or many properties through a network of pipes and reservoirs.

We have a duty to monitor private water supplies to ensure they are safe to drink. For this reason, you should tell us if you create a new, private water supply.

We carry out risk assessments on private water supplies every  5 years. The assessment covers all aspects of the water supply, from its source, through the distribution system, to the final point of delivery, where the water is used. Water sampling and analysis will uncover any possible areas of concern and help to make sure that the supply is safe.

If you plan to abstract more than 20 cubic metres per day you will also need to check guidance on the Environment Agency website about abstraction licences.

To ensure that the water supply is safe for human consumption we expect that a suitable treatment system will be installed and maintained on all water supplies. You can read more about treatment systems on the Drinking Water Inspectorate’s website.

Sampling and testing water supplies

We provide a statutory service for sampling and risk assessing private water supplies in Somerset, in accordance with the Private Water Supplies Regulations 2016 and the Private Water Supplies (Amendment) Regulations 2018.

We are not required to risk assess and sample some water supplies – it depends on the use of the properties on the supply and the size of the supply.

If your supply is not regulated by us but you require a water test of your property for your own personal use, for example, a house sale, then you can contact our water testing laboratory direct online.

The address is: Somerset Scientific Services, Westpark, Wellington, TA21 9AD. Phone: 01823 355187

For supplies that we do require to sample or already sample under the regulations, the costs of sampling and risk assessing are payable by the supply owner, the supply users, or any person who requests the sampling or risk assessment to be carried out. The invoice will be sent to one person on the supply only. This is usually the nominated ‘relevant person’ or supply owner.

Where more than one person is liable they must privately arrange to apportion the costs as necessary. We will only charge enough to cover the costs of carrying out our duties.

You can find our costs on the fees and charges page of our website.

Register a private water supply

To register your private water supply please complete the private water supply registration form.

Investigations

If we find that your water supply does not meet the required standard as set out in regulations, we will investigate. We may then require improvements to be made. You can read the regulations on Central Government’s legislation website.

Those improvements may include:

• Putting fencing around the source of the supply or collection tanks to protect them from grazing livestock and other animals that may cause contamination
• Digging drainage ditches around the source or collection tanks to prevent ground water run-off entering the supply
• Repairing collection chambers and installing tight fitting lids to ensure a good seal to protect the supply from vermin or surface water
• Clearing the site of overgrown vegetation
• Repairing old leaking pipes and taps
• Replacing lead pipe
• Installing appropriate water treatment to ensure satisfactory chemical and microbiological quality

This may mean we have to serve a formal notice.

You may need to install a filter to remove or lower the level of a substance, including:

• Ultraviolet (UV) filters to remove bacteria (E. coli)
• Filters to remove Nitrates and other chemicals

Failure to comply with any notice served may lead to prosecution.

You can find more information about regulations and advice about how to keep your water supply safe on the website of the Drinking Water Inspectorate.

Report concerns about a private water supply

If you are concerned about a private water supply – in the first instance you should make contact with the responsible person for the supply and advise them there may be an issue.

You can also contact us for advice by completing our online form:

Insufficiency or disconnection of private supplies

The Private Water Supplies (England) Regulations require that many – not all – supplies are risk assessed and sampled at required intervals to ensure a supply is safe to drink and that its structure and distribution system is in good condition and therefore unlikely to become insufficient.

Insufficiency is becoming an ever increasing problem with private supplies, due to the impact of climate change. Each summer we get calls from private supply users as their springs, wells or boreholes have dried up, sometimes for many months. Every supply owner and user should have a contingency plan for an alternative supply in cases of emergency.

Somerset Council and mains water companies are not responsible for providing an emergency supply of water to private supply owners.

In section 80 of the Water Industry Act 1991, the Council’s powers are directed at ensuring that a private water supply is sufficient by being well maintained. They are not expressly framed to require a private individual to continue supplying water to others indefinitely or to resolve private law disputes between landowners or users of the supply.

As in the name, private water supplies are privately owned and agreements to use, supply and charge for these supplies is a private matter between owners and consumers on the supply.

Somerset Council are the regulators of private supplies in that we must monitor some shared or publicly used supplies to ensure they are safe. But we cannot intervene in water supply disputes between owners and users or prevent disconnection. This would be a civil matter and any users must seek their own legal advice to determine if they are legally entitled to a continuous supply or not.

Water supplies at Festivals and Events

The provision of safe and sufficient drinking water is essential for the protection of public health and vital to a well-run event. A ‘safe supply’ refers to water that does not pose a risk to health and is wholesome and complies to the relevant water quality regulations.

Where a supply of water is required for domestic purposes at temporary events – such as agricultural shows, festivals, garden shows and markets – please read the document below to help ensure the safety and security of water supplies at temporary events.

The document Guidelines for the Provision of Water Supplies at Temporary Events (PDF 3.6MB) is primarily intended for those with responsibilities for organising temporary events. However, other stakeholders may find it helpful. It applies to all licensed and unlicensed events whether they are supplied from a water company supply system, a private supply or a temporary stored water supply.

It is the responsibility of all parties involved in event organisation to ensure that the water provided is safe for consumption, which includes all domestic use. The principles set out in this document should be applied to all events where a supply of drinking water is provided, regardless of size or the number of consumers.

A shortage of water, or supplying water that is unsafe to consume for any domestic purpose poses a serious public health risk that could lead to the cancellation of an event with organisers potentially facing:

• A risk of an outbreak of serious illness.
• Unnecessary or additional costs.
• Reputational damage and potential loss of business and income.
• Prosecution or civil action.

Contact us

You can contact us if you have general enquiries about private water supplies.