Private water supplies
A private water supply is any water supply which is not provided by a water company. In rural areas it is often a private water supply which is the sole source of drinking water.
A private water supply may only serve one property or could be a large network of pipes supplying many properties. The water source is often a spring, well, borehole, pond or stream.
About 1% of the population are served by a private water supply and within Taunton Deane there are currently 627 known properties using private water supplies and 575 private water supply sources.
The Law
The Private Water Supply Regulations 1991 set the chemical and bacteriological standards for private water supply, specify the frequency of routine testing and the charges applied to the customer.
The Environmental Protection Team are responsible for testing private water supplies as set out by these regulations.
Sampling frequency
The frequency of routine sampling depends on the classification of the supply as set out by the Private Water Supply Regulations 1991. If the water supply poses a higher risk if contaminated, such as it serves a large number of people or is used in food production, then the supply will be sampled more often. Where as if it only supplies a few properties the frequency of sampling will be less.
Single supplies that only supply one domestic property are not included within the regulations for routine sampling. However Taunton Deane Borough Council's policy is to take bacterial samples once every five years, to safeguard the health of the people using the supply.
The classification of private water supplies falls into two main categories, Category 1 and Category 2.
- Category 1 - Domestic premises only, it is used for drinking, washing, cooking etc.
- Category 2 - Commercial property, it is a supply that is used to produce food or drink that will be sold to the public. Commercial food production, breweries, farms, bed and breakfasts are included in this category.
These categories are further divided by the number of premises using the supply for Category 1 premises or the amount of water being used for Category 2 premises.
For a full breakdown of sampling frequency and charges see our Fees and charges page.
If sampling is wanted before a house sale or purchase then this can be arranged by contacting the Environmental Protection Team and will usually include the sampling outlined below in sample analysis.
Additional sampling can also be arranged and tailored to the customers needs.
Tel: 01823 356339
Email: environmental.protection@tauntondeane.gov.uk
Sample analysis
During routine statutory sampling two types of samples are taken from each supply. Firstly is a bacterial sample which identify any bacteria which may have contaminated the supply and the second is a chemical sample. The chemical sample is tailored to search for contamination which may arise from local activities such as spreading of slurry or fertilisers.
Samples are taken from the point of use this is usually the kitchen tap but may be the dairy tap or tap used for food production in commercial premises.
Routine samples are analysed for the following:
| Type |
Description |
| Bacterial |
Total Coliforms (Environmental Bacteria), E.Coli (faecal bacteria) |
| Chemical |
Aluminium, Ammonium, Arsenic, Conductivity, Copper, Iron, Lead, Manganese, Nitrate, Nitrite,
PH, Turbidity, Zinc |
If a water sample show evidence of contamination, further samples may be taken from the supply to investigate the possible reason for failure. There is a charge made for resampling.
Sample results
If a water supply results are unsatisfactory or contaminated it may be necessary to carry out improvement works or install treatment equipment to improve the water quality. Advice about water treatment and a list of water engineers is available from the Environmental Protection Team.
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