The Water Fittings Regulations and Scottish Water Byelaws are national requirements for the design, installation, operation and maintenance of plumbing systems, water fittings and water-using appliances.

 

Their purpose is to prevent misuse, waste, undue consumption or erroneous measurement of water and, most importantly, to prevent contamination of drinking water. They replaced the former local Water Supply Byelaws, which each water supplier administered for similar purposes for many years and are designed to protect public health and promote the efficient use of water.

 

WaterSafe approved plumbing businesses are fully qualified to carry out plumbing work in homes and business premises. They have specific training in Water Fittings Regulations, which enables them to ensure there should be no risk from poor installation or sub-standard materials that could cause contamination of the drinking water supply.

 

For most types of plumbing work, plumbers have a legal duty to notify your water supply company before they start work - this can lead to delays. However, WaterSafe approved plumbing businesses can carry out some work without the need to provide this advanced notification to the water supply company. A ‘work completed’ certificate issued by a WaterSafe approved plumbing business provides a defence for property owners who are challenged by a water supplier enforcing the Water Fittings Regulations and Byelaws.

 

WaterSafe approved plumbing businesses must also adhere to the WaterSafe code of conduct and customer commitments - where they fail to meet these standards, a disciplinary process applies. Furthermore, a WaterSafe approved plumbing business which fails to uphold the standards will be subject to a range of penalties; in serious cases, this would result in its membership of WaterSafe being revoked. A WaterSafe approved plumbing business will be required to put their work right if it does not meet the requirements of the Water Fittings Regulations or Byelaws, enforced by the water supplier.

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For more information please contact us for a free no obligation chat. We are happy to help and advice as to the best solution that meets your needs.

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