Water Regulations for Allotment Users 1999 onwards

Water Regulations for Allotment Users

1999 onwards

The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999

• My name is Michael Dean

• I work in the Water Regulations Department.

• We will be presenting an overview of the above regulations and

specifically how they apply at Allotments.

• Regulations are a very large topic and we will only cover how they

apply at Allotments unless you have any other questions.

• Questions are welcomed at any time.

Welcome


• Water Suppliers are known as Water Undertakers.

• We undertake to supply you with drinking quality water.

• This is what the ‘Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations are

intended to ensure.

• Our objective (unlike our namesake) is to keep you fit and healthy

by providing you with good quality drinking water.

What is a Water Undertaker


• The Regulator is The Secretary of State.

• Domestic Use means water used for Cooking (not food

production), Drinking and Washing.

• Domestic Premises is a single-family dwelling, everywhere else

is a Non-Domestic Premises.

• Therefore an Allotment site with more than one user is a

Non-Domestic Premises.

• Backflow is the returning of substances upstream i.e. toxic

substances getting into the drinking water supply.

Useful Definitions


• Came into force 1st July 1999 and replaced the Water Byelaws.

• Byelaws still apply to fittings legally installed before this date.

• A Water Undertaker shall enforce the Requirements of the

Regulations in relation to the area for which it holds an

appointment under Part II of the Act. (Regulation 10 (1)).

• This means that I must enforce Water Regulations at an

Allotment site.

What Water Undertakers are Required to Enforce


• The Regulations apply to any Water Fitting Installed or Used, or

to be Installed or Used, in Premises to which Water is or is to be

Supplied by a Water Undertaker. (Regulation 2 (1)).

• Example: - rain water harvesting systems.

• Although not normally full with water supplied by a Water

Undertaker, it is intended to be if necessary, and therefore all

fittings downstream must still comply.

• We encourage the re-use of water.

What do Regulations Apply to


What do Regulations Apply to

i.e. Rainwater


(Regulations 3 (1) to (3) inclusive).

• They are intended to prevent Waste, Misuse, Undue Consumption,

Erroneous Measurement or Contamination of Water Supplied by a Water

Undertaker.

• No Water Fitting shall be Installed, Connected, Arranged or Used in such a

manner that it Causes or is Likely to Cause Waste, Misuse, Undue

Consumption or Contamination of Water Supplied by a Water Undertaker.

• No Water Fitting shall be Installed, Connected, Arranged or Used in such a

manner that it Causes or is Likely to Cause Erroneous Measurement.

What Regulations are Intended to Prevent


• The regulations give the requirements for water fittings.

• Cold Water Services.

• Hot Water Services (Primary and Secondary).

• WC’s, Flushing Devices and Urinals.

• Washing Machines, Dishwashers and Appliances.

• Water for Outside Use i.e. use at Allotments.

(Water Regulations Schedule 2)

Other Areas to which Regulations Apply


• The Regulator has given us guidance to the Regulations.

• The Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS) has given us

guidance to the Regulations.

• Essex and Suffolk Water write Risk Assessments.

Where do we get Guidance


• These are the Governments Regulations and not

Essex and Suffolk Water’s Regulations

• A Water Undertaker shall enforce the requirements of the

Regulations in relation to the area for which it holds an

appointment under Part II of the Act. (Regulation 10 (1)).

• These Regulations are a legal requirement.

• Non-compliance with Regulations can lead to prosecution.

• The Regulator monitors and audits our performance; we are

compelled to enforce these Regulations at Allotments.

Enforcement


• Water Undertakers have right of entry to all premises where

water is supplied including Allotments.

Right of Entry to any Premises where Water is Supplied.


• Waste.

• Misuse.

• Undue consumption.

• Erroneous measurement.

• Contamination.

What is the meaning of


Typical examples –

• Outlets left running---hence the preferred use of non-concussive

taps (often called percussion taps).

• Excessive or uncontrolled watering or irrigation

Waste


The use of water for purposes other than that for which it is provided.

Typical examples :-

We do not prohibit Allotment watering but must control it.

Remember, we supply Drinking Water for Domestic Use and

Allotment sites with more than one user is Non-Domestic use.

Misuse


This is the unnecessary use of Water.

Typical examples -

• Uncontrolled or excessive watering at an Allotment.

Undue Consumption


• This is the taking of water supplied by a water undertaker for which

the appropriate amount has not been paid.

• For example, watering an Allotment used by more than one user

when taking the supply from an unmetered dwelling i.e. running a

hose pipe from someones house.

• Remember, taking water and not paying the correct amount is theft

and could lead to a prosecution.

Erroneous Measurement


Contamination is defined, for the purposes of these Regulations, as

‘Any Reduction in Aesthetic, Chemical or Biological

Quality of Water’

Contamination


• Backpressure

Pumps, Pressurised Systems, Cross Connections, etc.

• Back Syphonage

Fire, Bursts, Head and Excessive Demand

• Diffusion

How contamination occurs


• Every water system shall contain an adequate device or devices

for preventing backflow of fluid from any appliance, fitting or

process.

• The device used to prevent backflow shall be appropriate to the

highest applicable fluid category to which the fitting is subject

downstream before the next device. (Regulation 15)

• Remember; in every case a valve is NOT a backflow prevention

device.

Requirements to Prevent Contamination


• The Regulator has given us guidance.

• There are 5 fluid categories increasing in risk from 1 to 5

requiring backflow protection.

• There are families of devices or arrangements that are adequate

for the 5 fluid categories of risk.

What are the Risks ? – The Regulations Provide Guidance


Category 1 Fluid

• Drinking Water supplied by an Undertaker

• No Risk

• No Devices Required



Category 2 Fluid

• The Aesthetic Quality is Impaired.

• Effectively still Drinking Quality except you would not like to drink it

for instance; warmed water

• Typical devices - single check valves. (Table 15.3)



Example:- a single check valve


Category 3 Fluid

• Represent a Slight Health Hazard.

• Includes concentrations of substances of low Toxicity.

• For instance; garden watering at a single family dwelling using a

hand held hose with flow control (automatic shut off). (Table 6.1c)

• Typical devices – approved double check valves and cisterns with a

minimum size warning pipe. (Table 15.2&3)

• No picture as a double check valve is just two single check valves



Category 4 Fluid

• Represents a Significant Health Hazard.

• Includes concentrations of toxic substances.

• This is typically chemicals that are not very toxic but does not

include most chemicals used as fertilisers. (Table 6.1d)

• Typical devices - reduced pressure zone valves (RPZ) and cisterns

with a large circular overflow. (Table 15.2&3)



Examples:- RPZ device


Examples:- large circular overflow


Category 5 Fluid

• Represent a Serious Health Hazard.

• Include concentrations of very toxic substances as used in fertilizers,

pesticides, weed killers and manure .

• Allotment users are justifiably proud of their ‘special secret blends’.

• Only one family of devices is adequate, they are all non-mechanical.

• They are undefeatable and known as Type ‘A’ Air Gaps. (Table 15.2).



Example:- type AA or AB air gap

Note:- if sufficient pressure cannot be achieved by gravity (that is the cistern is not high enough) a pump may be fitted to the outlet.


Example:-An animal watering trough may be used


• Each outlet must be fitted with point of use backflow protection.

• The whole Allotment may be required to have an additional backflow

prevention device at the site boundary to prevent contamination of the

distribution network.

Point of Use & Whole site Protection


Risk Assessment

• Remember: -

• A risk assessment cannot contradict a

regulation.

• It can apply logic and reason.

• Can clarify installation requirements.

• A risk assessment by a Water

Undertaker can only be superseded by

a better risk assessment.


Q :

What is the worst recorded case of fatalities caused by backflow of a

very toxic substance.

A :

In America from the backflow of weed killer when being diluted

Examples of Backflow Requirements


Q :

Can you just promise not to use fertilizers, pesticides and manure

A :

These products are fundamental to Allotment users and although current

users may comply, unknown future users may not; remember the device

used must be un-defeatable and promises can be broken.

Examples of Backflow Requirements


• This table effectively means that all works at

Allotments used by more than one user, other

than a like for like replacement or repair, must

be notified to the Water Undertaker.

• Notification must take place 10 working days

before any works start.

• Notification should include drawings, location

and installer details.

(Regulation 5)

Notification


• If the Water Undertaker has not replied within 10 working days,

permission is deemed to have been granted and the work can

commence.

• Permission can be refused or reasonable conditions imposed.

• The granting of permission does not imply regulations compliance.

• Compliance is still the responsibility of the designer, installer and the

user, there is no duty or responsibility on the water undertaker.

• Inspections will take place and improvement notices issued if

necessary.

After Notification


• Talk to us, this will normally resolve things.

• Involve WRAS, they cannot over ride a Water Undertakers decision

but may take up your point of view.

• Request arbitration.

• Seek a legal ruling from a court of law.

Arbitration


• We must inspect retrospectively.

• Installations from July 1999 must comply with Regulations.

• Before July 1999 must comply with the relevant byelaw.

• Contamination issues can be enforced retrospectively.

• Items not installed legally at the time of installation must be brought

up to regulations standards.

• We have a policy statement for identifying high risks, then contacting

and inspecting retrospectively.

Retrospective Inspections


• Because of the substances that can be expected to be present at

an Allotment it is a Serious Risk Premises

• This also includes agricultural or horticultural premises including

farms and hydroponic systems.

Retrospective Inspections (Serious Risk Premises)


• Section 74 and 75 of the Act (we install equipment and recover all

costs from the user).

• Disconnection.

Other Courses of Action


• Thank you very much for attending.

• I welcome any questions.

And Finally

.

Presented by Essex & Suffolk Water

Michael Dean

Documents

Water Regulations for Allotment Users 1999 onwards