1. Garry Boorman Principal Advisor, Public Health & Standards
Maintaining Water Quality ... (1) at temporary events (2) and Private Distribution Networks
Garry Boorman
Principal Advisor, Public Health & Standards
Ian Mitchell
Water Regulations & Monitoring Manager

2. Where to start ...

3. Where to start ...

4. Where to start ...

5. The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999
Replaced Water Byelaws
Made 1st April 1999
Laid before parliament 14th April 1999
Enforceable 1st July 1999
Section 74 Water Industry Act 1991
Water Industry Guide – guidance to schedule 2 of the Regulations (requirements for Water Fittings)
Regulations are there to provide protection for the water supply from waste; misuse; undue consumption; erroneous measurement and most importantly contamination

6. Waste ...
Water escaping from defective pipes or fittings above or below ground whether seen or not seen.

7. Misuse ... Water used for any other purpose than
that for which it was legally supplied.

8. Water used in excess of the quantity required for a specific purpose.
Undue consumption ...
Water used in excess of the quantity required for a specific purpose.
(Jan % reduction of the amount of water used for flushing new toilets)

9. Erroneous measurement...
By-passing a water meter.

10. The possible contamination of an internal or external water supply.

11. Risk Assessment... Backflow by backsiphonage back pressure Decide
level of risk (fluid category)
check for appropriate backflow device

12. Backflow Risk – Fluid Categories

13. Backflow Risk – Fluid Category 1
Fluid Category 1 – Wholesome water, no backflow protection needed.

14. Backflow Risk – Fluid Category 2
Fluid Category 2 – Aesthetic deterioration
Examples:
Mixing of hot and cold water supplies
Stagnant water in redundant pipe work
Ice making machines
Domestic water softeners
Install - Single check valve fitted.

15. Backflow Risk – Fluid Category 3
Fluid Category 3 – Slight health risk
Examples:
Water in domestic central heating systems
Domestic wash hand basins / baths
Domestic hose union taps
Domestic washing & dishwasher machines
Install - Double check valve fitted.

16. Backflow Risk – Fluid Category 4
Fluid Category 4 – Significant health risk
Examples:
Water in non-domestic central heating systems
Printing and Photographic equipment
Commercial dishwashing equipment
Fire sprinkler systems using anti-freeze
Install - Reduced Pressure Zone Valve.

17. Backflow Risk – Fluid Category 5
Fluid Category 5 – Serious health risk
Examples:
Grey / Rain water harvesting systems
Slaughter house equipment
Cattle drinking troughs
WC pans, urinals and bidets
Install – Storage cistern with AA / AB air gap.

18. Contamination - Domestic
Dead animals in cold water tank

19. Contamination - Agricultural
Live animal in drinking trough (submerged ball valve)

20. Contamination - Industrial
Cross connection causing contamination by industrial / horticultural fluids

21. Spot the contravention ...

22. Spot the contravention ...

23. Spot the contravention ...

24. Spot the contravention ...

25. Spot the contravention ...

26. Spot the contravention ...

27. Spot the contravention ...

28. Failure to comply ...

29. What went wrong?

30. Approved Materials

31. Temporary Drinking Water Supplies

32. Temporary Drinking Water Supplies
It is suggested that guidance is made available to organisers of events
where a temporary drinking water supply is required so that there is an understanding of the risks associated with supplying drinking water.
Reference Document
Guidelines for the Provision of Temporary Drinking Water Supplies at Events
Water Health Partnership for Wales

33. Temporary Drinking Water Supplies
It is suggested that guidance is made available to organisers of events
where a temporary drinking water supply is required so that there is an understanding of the risks associated with supplying drinking water.
Failure to properly plan for the provision of a safe source of drinking water can have significant consequences with the organisers
additional costs
notice and prosecution
high risk of an outbreak (campylobacter / E.coli O157)
civil action if anyone becomes ill
loss of reputation and public reluctance to attend future events
poor media coverage

34. Temporary Drinking Water Supplies
Event organisers must contact local authority Environmental Health and
local Water Company if a public water supply connection is needed
in advance of the event at the earliest opportunity
if new connection required at least 12 (20) weeks notice
to existing connection at least 4 (8) weeks notice
submit plans
to show distribution network and infrastructure
direction of flow
location of pumps, incoming supply, toilet blocks, drinking water points, water for food preparation areas, treatment and sampling points etc

35. Temporary Drinking Water Supplies
Event organisers must ...
undertake a risk assessment on water supply arrangements
identify potential risks that may cause contamination or an insufficient water supply
the measures to be taken to control / prevent these
the checks & monitoring procedures to ensure control measures are in place
the actions to be taken should the control measures fail

36. Temporary Drinking Water Supplies
Event organisers must ...
document their emergency operating plan for dealing with contamination or failure of water supply
close the event
contingency for emergency water supplies
Organisers cannot rely on emergency supplies being provided by the local authority or water company
Suggest that the event ‘Water Safety Plan’ is submitted to the local Environmental Health department at least 14 days in advance of the event

37. Temporary Drinking Water Supplies
Commissioning of the water supply
storage and disinfection of distribution pipe-work
prior to use drained, stored off ground & end capped
segregated from fuel oils / contaminants
pipe material to be of approved materials (Regulation 31 Water Supply (Water Quality Regulations 2010)
laying, preparation & disinfection to be undertaken by appropriately trained and certified personnel
check microbiological samples required
formal ‘Certificate of Disinfection’ provided to local authority / water company

38. Temporary Drinking Water Supplies
Water provision via tankers or bottled water
The following British Standard has been issued to provide guidance on provision of safe drinking water to events where tankers or bottled water are used
BS8551:2011 Provision and management of temporary water supplies and distribution networks (not including provisions for statutory emergencies) – Code of Practice
Event organisers are strongly recommended to obtain a copy

39. Temporary Drinking Water Supplies
Prevention of Contamination
Event organisers must also ensure that the fixtures and fittings connected to the distribution pipe-work do not contaminate the water supply.
Any connections made to the public water supply must comply with The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999
Guidance to regulations available via WRAS (
Connections to public water supply must have backflow protection. Water Company Water Regulations Inspector may visit the site to check for compliance

40. Temporary Drinking Water Supplies
During the Event
Environmental Health Officers may undertake inspections and sample during the event

41. Temporary Drinking Water Supplies
Further Recommendations of Good Practice
Do operational personnel hold valid National Water Hygiene cards?
Distribution pipe-work must not have been used for any other purpose
Locate any existing buried sewer, water pipes or electricity cables
Ensure that access to any water storage is controlled and restricted to unauthorised people
Consider location of fuel / paint stores (bunded?)
If event in warm weather consider need to insulate water pipes
Label taps suitable for drinking water
Monitor chlorine residuals
If overland pipes used are these adequately protected from damage
Undertake regular inspections of drinking water taps to ensure they remain hygienic

42. Temporary Drinking Water Supplies

43. Private Distribution Networks
Definitions
Distribution System Arrangement of assets (pipes, tanks, pumps) that convey a supply of wholesome water
Boundary / Bulk Meter This is the end point of the public network. The point at which a third party takes accountability for conveying a wholesome supply
Private Onward Distribution System Term used to describe a privately owned arrangement of assets used to deliver water to other premises. The PODS will be supplied via a Water Undertaker or Combined Licensee. The end of the public supply is defined by a bulk meter or tank

44. Private Distribution Networks
Guidance from DWI – 25th April 2013
2013 Private Distribution Systems

45. Private Distribution Networks
Guidance from DWI – 25th April 2013

46. Private Distribution Networks

47. Private Distribution Networks
Examples of issues unlikely to be a Regulation 8 supply
caravan sites where there is a single owner of whole site
small industrial parks with several different businesses occupying individual units on one premises
hotel premises with outbuildings / marquee used for temporary events
airports / ports with single owner of whole site
university / college / school with single owner of whole site
rural estate where all buildings / homes are in the management or ownership of the estate
The Water Company is responsible for monitoring and enforcing the Water Fittings Regulations 1999

48. Where to end ...

49. Where to end ...
Alternative supply pipework (Spring Water) now disconnected
Temporary 25mm MDPE overland supply pipe. Installed following failure of private supply source.

50. Where to end ...

51. Where to end ...

52. Where to end ...
Cattle trough with type ‘AA’ air gap

53. Where to end ...
25mm MDPE pipe. Open ended pipe with no backflow protection
Animal Faeces

54. Where to end ...
Outside hose union bib taps with no backflow protection

55. Where to end ... Pre UV sample point – samples ‘passed’
Post UV sample point – samples ‘failed’
UV Disinfection Equipment

56. Thank You for Listening
Contacts
For any queries regarding Water Fittings Inspections
phone Or
For any queries regarding temporary supplies or private distribution networks
Thank You for Listening