Water Regulations for Allotment Users

1999 onwards

The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 Welcome

• • • • • 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.

The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 What is a Water Undertaker

• • • • 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.

The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999

• • • • •

Useful Definitions

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.

The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 What Water Undertakers are Required to Enforce

• • • • Came into force 1 st 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.

The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 What do Regulations Apply to

• • • • 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.

The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 What do Regulations Apply to

i.e. Rainwater

The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999

• • •

What Regulations are Intended to Prevent

(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.

The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 Other Areas to which Regulations Apply

• • • • • • 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)

The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 Where do we get Guidance

• • • 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.

The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999

• • • • •

Enforcement

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.

The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 Right of Entry to any Premises where Water is Supplied.

• Water Undertakers have right of entry to all premises where water is supplied including Allotments.

The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999

• • • • • What is the meaning of Waste.

Misuse.

Undue consumption.

Erroneous measurement.

Contamination.

The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999

•

Waste

• Typical examples – Outlets left running---hence the preferred use of non-concussive taps (often called percussion taps).

Excessive or uncontrolled watering or irrigation

The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 Misuse

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.

The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 Undue Consumption

This is the unnecessary use of Water.

• Typical examples Uncontrolled or excessive watering at an Allotment.

The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 Erroneous Measurement

• • • 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.

The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 Contamination

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

‘Any Reduction in Aesthetic, Chemical or Biological Quality of Water’

The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 How contamination occurs

• • • Backpressure Pumps, Pressurised Systems, Cross Connections, etc.

Back Syphonage Fire, Bursts, Head and Excessive Demand Diffusion

The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999

• • •

Requirements to Prevent Contamination

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.

The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 What are the Risks ? – The Regulations Provide Guidance

• • • 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.

The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 What are the Risks ? – The Regulations Provide Guidance

Category 1 Fluid • Drinking Water supplied by an Undertaker • No Risk • No Devices Required

The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999

• • •

What are the Risks ? – The Regulations Provide Guidance

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)

The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 Example:- a single check valve

The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999

• • • • •

What are the Risks ? – The Regulations Provide Guidance

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

The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999

• • • •

What are the Risks ? – The Regulations Provide Guidance

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)

The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 Examples:- RPZ device

The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 Examples:- large circular overflow

The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999

• • • • •

What are the Risks ? – The Regulations Provide Guidance

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).

The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 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.

The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 Example:-An animal watering trough may be used

The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 Point of Use & Whole site Protection

• • 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.

The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 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.

The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 Examples of Backflow Requirements

  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

The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 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.

The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999

• • •

Notification

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)

The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 After 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.

The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 Arbitration

• • • • 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.

The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 Retrospective Inspections

• • • • • • 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.

The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 Retrospective Inspections (Serious Risk Premises)

• 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.

The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 Other Courses of Action

• • Section 74 and 75 of the Act (we install equipment and recover all costs from the user).

Disconnection.

The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 And Finally

• • Thank you very much for attending.

I welcome any questions.

.

Presented by Essex & Suffolk Water

Michael Dean