Private water supplies

We’re responsible for the registration, risk assessment, sampling and enforcement of private water supplies and private distribution systems to ensure they are suitable for use and meet the standards set by the Private Water Supplies (England) Regulations 2016 and Private Water Supplies (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2018 .

A private water supply can:

• include things like wells, springs, boreholes, streams, surface water features, and ponds
• serve more than one property
• be a supply that is not provided by a water company

A private distribution system is a system that occurs when mains water is supplied to a site or property which is then distributed to other buildings not owned by that organisation or person.

If you use a private distribution system, you would then pay the landlord directly for the water instead of the water company, for example South East Water.

Costs

We’re allowed to cover our costs for work involved in assessing and taking samples.

Assessing private water supplies, including taking samples, costs £85.20 per hour. An average:

• risk assessment will take 6 hours
• visit to take samples will take 3 hours

Costs for the analysis of samples taken will be an additional cost to hourly rates. The costs of this analysis it is dependent on the number of samples taken, and the analysis required.

Tell us you’re on a private water supply or distribution system

If you think your home or business is served by a private water supply or a private distribution system you can contact us to see if it is registered or for advice, please call 01622 602460 or 01622 602450 or email ehadmin@midkent.gov.uk

Information and advice

If you have any questions or concerns about private water supplies or distribution systems, ,you can email ehadmin@midkent.gov.uk.You should include:

• your address
• your contact details
• the address of the property the water supply serves

Mains Water Supplies

Most properties in Swale get their water from South East Water.  If you are concerned about your supply, please contact your water provider or Ofwat.