Private water supplies

Use this page to find out more about local private water supplies.

What a private water supply is

A private water supply is a supply that is not provided by a water company. In Bath and North East Somerset, there are approximately 80 private water supplies.

The Private Water Supplies (England) Regulations 2016 (as amended) legislation covers all private water supplies including private distribution systems. It safeguards public health by ensuring that supplies are safe to drink and sufficient. 

Risk assessments and monitoring

We have to carry out risk assessments and monitoring of certain private water supplies at least once every five years under the regulations. Sampling schedules depend on the regulatory requirements plus the outcome of the risk assessment.

Select a topic below:

Sampling requirements

• Single Private Dwellings: Single private dwellings will not require routine monitoring or a risk assessment, unless they are rented to a third party in which case they will be classified as commercial premises. Sampling and/or risk assessment can be undertaken at the owner's request.  
• Small Domestic Supplies: The frequency of monitoring will depend on the outcome of the risk assessment. However, it will be a minimum of once every five years. Supplies will be monitored for five basic parameters and anything else that arises from the risk assessment.  
• Private Distribution Systems: Monitoring must be carried out according to the outcome of the risk assessment, and at least once every five years.

Large Supplies or Commercial Premises: Two types of monitoring will occur on these supplies: 

• 'Group A' monitoring tests the wholesomeness of the water; the frequency of monitoring Group A parameters will depend on the amount of water used.
• 'Group B' monitoring determines whether or not the water supply meets the required legal standards. The range of Group B parameters which may be monitored is extensive and the frequency of monitoring depends on the amount of water used.

All large or commercial supplies will have at least one sample analysed each year.

What happens in the event of a failure

In the event of a failure, we may serve you an improvement notice.

In the event of a failure where there's a concern of an immediate risk to human health, we will serve a notice that restricts or stops the use of the supply.

If you fail to comply with a notice, you may be prosecuted in the Magistrates' or Crown Court. Appeals against a notice can be made to the Magistrates' Court or the Secretary of State, depending on which notice is served.

Fees

Fees and charges

Activity / analysis	Charging Scheme	Activity information
Risk assessment	£98/hour	Risk assessment of new supplies including a report normally takes approximately 6 hours to complete - risk assessment reviews take approximately 4 hours
Sampling	£98/hour + cost of analysis	Charge for taking a sample including transport to the laboratory, and analysis
Investigation	£98/hour + cost of further analysis	Carried out in the event of a failure
Regulation 10 sampling (Domestic Supply)	Determined by laboratory	Where a supply provides <10m³/day or <50 people and is used for domestic purposes only
Regulation 9 sampling (Commercial/Large Supply) Group A	Determined by laboratory	Group A monitoring is carried out to determine if the water complies with the standards - where possible it will be carried out at the same time as any requirement for Group B monitoring to minimise costs
Regulation 9 sampling (Commercial/Large Supply) Group B	Determined by laboratory	Additional parameters sampled less often to ensure the water complies with all safety standards

To contact us about private water supplies, please email us at environmental_monitoring@bathnes.gov.uk