Contact Details: Private Water Supplies
A number of properties in the district use private water supplies, which is a water supply which is not provided by a licensed water undertaker (Veolia Water). Most of these supplies are situated in rural parts of the district, and the source of the supply is generally a well or a borehole, although spring water supplies are not uncommon.
A private water supply is any water supply which is not provided by the water authority, i.e. Veolia Water (mains supply). All private water supply owners are responsible for ensuring that the quality of the water they provide is wholesome and meets the same standard as the mains supply.
If you have a water quality issue regarding a mains supply then you need to contact Veolia Water or call 0845 782 3333.
In January 2010 the Regulations regarding Private Water Supplies changed and they apply to all supplies intended for human consumption. This means they apply to all domestic and commercial properties that are served by a private supply.
These supplies include:
- Water from a well or borehole or spring which is supplied from someone other than Veolia Water
- Water supplied by Veolia Water which is then further distributed by another person (i.e. a private distribution system)
We ensure that all private water supply owners are achieving their legal obligations. The Regulations give us clear indication of the monitoring requirements from which we develop our annual sampling program.
The Regulations require:
- Local Authorities to complete a risk assessment of all Private Water Supplies in the first five years, from January 2010 except for supplies to single domestic dwellings, (unless a risk assessment is requested)
- The Regulations allow us to recover our costs for risk assessments, sampling and investigation, please see fees and charged at the bottom of the page.
Starting 31 January 2011 we must send an annual report to the Drinking Water Inspectorate, regarding our activities in this area.
The Regulations set out procedures that we must follow if we consider a Private Water Supply which is unwholesome. This includes the requirements to:
- investigate the cause
- inform the Private Water Supplier user(s) if the supply constitutes a potential danger to human health
- give the user(s) advice to allow them to minimise the potential of danger
- we will need to liaise with the Health Protection Agency to seek advice on whether there is potential danger to human health
Where a Private Water Supply requires improvement we are encouraged to liaise informally with the Private Water Supply owner/users to prevent potential danger to human health.
Where an informal approach does not achieve this then there are other options open to us including the service of legal notices.
If you have a private water supply that is currently registered and would like to arrange for a sample to be taken, or would like further advice on treatment methods or other private water supply matters, please contact the Environmental Health on 01923 776611 or email enquiries@threerivers.gov.uk
If you believe you own a private water supply in the district and you are not registered please complete the contact us us.
|
Activity
|
Maximum
Charge
Permitted
|
Example
Charging
Scheme
|
Comments
|
|
Risk Assessment
|
£500
|
Hourly rate x time Plus mileage cost
|
Minimum charge £280 simple risk
assessment and
report typically 5 hours
|
|
Sampling
|
£100
|
Hourly rate x time and mileage
|
Charge for a visit
and to take sample
|
|
Investigation
|
£100
|
Hourly rate and mileage +any analysis costs
|
Carried out in the
event of test
failure, can be
substituted by risk
assessment
|
|
Authorisation
|
£100
|
Hourly rate and mileage x time
|
Application by the
owner of a supply
for permission to
breach a standard
temporarily whilst
remedial work is
carried out
|
|
Analysis:
|
|
|
|
|
Under Reg. 10
(Domestic Supplies)
|
£25
|
Dependent upon parameters tested at individual properties
|
Where a supply provides <10m3 /day or <50 people and is used for domestic purposes
|
|
Check Monitoring (Commercial Supplies)
|
£100
|
Dependent upon parameters tested at individual properties
|
Check monitoring is carried out to ensure that water complies with the standards. Where possible it should be carried out at the same time as any requirement for Audit monitoring, to keep cost down
|
|
Audit Monitoring (Commercial Supplies)
|
£500
|
Dependent upon parameters tested at individual properties
|
Additional parameters sampled less of ten to ensure the water complies with all safety standards
|
You can contact this department directly by telephone or email:
Telephone no:
01923 776611
Fax no:
01923 896119
Email:
enquiries@threerivers.gov.uk
Address:
Three Rivers House
Northway
Rickmansworth
Herts
WD3 1RL