Maintaining Water Quality ...

(1) at temporary events

(2) and Private Distribution Networks
Where to start ...
Where to start ...
Where to start ...
 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
Waste ...
Water escaping from defective pipes or fittings above
or below ground whether seen or not seen.
Misuse ...
Water used for any other purpose than
that for which it was legally supplied.
Undue consumption ...
Water used in excess of the quantity required for a
specific purpose.
(Jan 2001 20% reduction of the amount of water used for
flushing new toilets)
Erroneous measurement...
By-passing a water meter.
Contamination ...
The possible contamination of an internal or external
water supply.
Risk Assessment...
Backflow by
• backsiphonage
• back pressure

Decide
• level of risk (fluid category)
• check for appropriate backflow device
Backflow Risk – Fluid Categories
Backflow Risk – Fluid Category 1
Fluid Category 1 – Wholesome water, no backflow protection needed.
 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.

 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.

 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.

 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.

Contamination - Domestic
Dead animals in cold water tank
Contamination - Agricultural
Live animal in drinking trough (submerged ball valve)
Contamination - Industrial
Cross connection causing contamination by industrial /
horticultural fluids
Spot the contravention ...
Spot the contravention ...
Spot the contravention ...
Spot the contravention ...
Spot the contravention ...
Spot the contravention ...
Spot the contravention ...
Failure to comply ...
What went wrong?
Approved Materials
Temporary Drinking Water Supplies
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
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
o additional costs
o notice and prosecution
o high risk of an outbreak (campylobacter / E.coli O157)
o civil action if anyone becomes ill
o loss of reputation and public reluctance to attend future events
o poor media coverage
Temporary Drinking Water Supplies
Event organisers must contact local authority Environmental Health and
local Water Company if a public water supply connection is needed

o 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

o 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
Temporary Drinking Water Supplies

Event organisers must ...

o 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
Temporary Drinking Water Supplies

Event organisers must ...

o 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
Temporary Drinking Water Supplies

Commissioning of the water supply

o 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
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

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

(http://www.wras.co.uk/Regulations_guide.htm)

Connections to public water supply must have backflow protection.

Water Company Water Regulations Inspector may visit the site to
check for compliance
Temporary Drinking Water Supplies

During the Event

Environmental Health Officers may undertake inspections

and sample during the event
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
Temporary Drinking Water Supplies
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
Private Distribution Networks

Guidance from DWI – 25th April 2013

http://dwi.defra.gov.uk/stakeholders/guidance-and-codes-of-practice/

2013 Private Distribution Systems

Private Distribution Networks

Guidance from DWI – 25th April 2013

Private Distribution Networks
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
Where to end ...
Where to end ...

Alternative supply
pipework (Spring Water)
now disconnected

Temporary 25mm MDPE overland

supply pipe. Installed following
failure of private supply source.
Where to end ...
Where to end ...
Where to end ...

Cattle trough with type ‘AA’ air gap

Where to end ...

25mm MDPE pipe. Open ended

pipe with no backflow protection

Animal Faeces
Where to end ...

Outside hose union bib taps with no

backflow protection
Where to end ...

Pre UV sample
point – samples
‘passed’

Post UV sample point –

samples ‘failed’

UV Disinfection Equipment