Private Water Supplies

Overview

A private water supply (PWS) is any water supply which is supplied to a property and does not originate from a mains supply or licensed water supplier. About 1% of the population of England and Wales use a PWS. Most of these supplies are situated in remote, rural parts of the country and can originate from a range of sources including: boreholes, natural springs, and watercourses.

Role of Local Authorities (LAs)

LAs act as the regulators for PWS and have statutory duties under the PWS Regulations, and as such should be your first point of contact for testing and identified risks. If you are unsure who your LA is, you can find out by entering your postcode into the Find Your Local Council section on the government website.

Role of Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI)

The DWI has a statutory role to act as technical advisors to LAs in relation to the implementation of the PWS Regulations. This includes the provision of technical and scientific advice on all aspects of drinking water quality, including on PWS.

More information can be found on our website.