Private Water Supply

General information:

A private water supply is any water supply which is not provided by a water company and which would not be considered to be a "mains" supply.

Private water supplies can be obtained from a variety of sources including:

• wells
• boreholes
• springs
• rivers and streams
• lakes or ponds

All private water supplies can pose a threat to health unless they are properly protected and treated.  You may not be able to tell whether your water is safe as contamination may not show as smell, taste or colour of the water.  Unlike public supplies, many private supplies are not treated to remove contamination.  The private water supply standards can be downloaded to the right.

The role of the local authority:

Under section 77 of the Water Industry Act 1991 the local authority has to check the quality of all water supplies within their area.

The Private Water Supply Regulations 1991 provide for the registration of private water supplies.  To register a supply please contact the Environmental Health Department and ask for a questionnaire to be sent to you.  

The Regulations also set out how often a local authority must take a sample of water from a private supply, what tests it must do on the sample and how much it can charge for taking the sample andtesting the water.  The cost of all samples taken in accordance with the Regulations are re-charged to the owner of the supply. Please contact us for further information and prices.

If the analysis results indicate that the water is not suitable for drinking, a boil notice may be served.  The matter will be discussed with the person responsible for the supply and Environmental Health may require remedial measures to be taken to remedy the situation under the Water Industry Act 1991.

For further information please see the Department of Environment leaflet entitled "Private Water Supplies" or contact us using the details to the right.

Mains water:

For more information about mains water contact the local water supply company listed in your telephone directory under "Water".