About one percent of the population rely on a private water
supply, where water is drawn from a borehole, well, spring, lake,
stream or river to service their properties. A borehole is likely
the most common method for domestic properties.
There are extensive regulations surrounding a private water
supply, these are contained in the Private Water Supplies
Regulations 2016, which focus on the quality of water, and the
Water Resources Act 1991, which focusses quantity and supply. Local
authorities have wide powers to enforce these regulations, and
breaching them, or abstracting water without a licence can be a
criminal offence.
Relevant persons:
Responsibility for the quality and quantity of private water
supplies lies with the owners/occupiers of the property serviced by
the water supply, the owners/occupiers of the property where the
water supply is sourced, or any other person who has management or
control of the water supply. The law identifies these people
