Private water supplies

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

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

Environmental Services are aware of approximately 200 private water supplies within the Salisbury District Council area. These range from supplies serving a single dwelling to those serving a number of properties.

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 and testing the water. The cost of all samples taken in accordance with the regulations are re-charged to the owner of the supply in accordance with the following scale of charges:

Test Charge
Chemical analysis Analyst's fees + £22.60 collection charge +VAT
Bacteriological analysis Analyst's fees + £22.60 collection charge + VAT

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

Where a registered supply is not required by the regulations to be sampled in any 12 month period a free bacteriological sample will be taken in the interests of public health. This sampling is at the discretion of the local authority and will be kept under review in accordance with the risk to health presented by each individual water supply.

For further information please see the Department of Environment leaflet entitled "Private Water Supplies – A guide to the laws controlling Private Water Supplies" or contact Environmental Services.

Mains water

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

Contact details:

Telephone:
01722 434319 or 434320

email:
enhmail@salisbury.gov.uk

Postal address:
Environmental Services
Salisbury District Council
PO Box 2126
Salisbury
SP2 2DJ