What are Water Byelaws?
Scottish Water provides reliable and cost effective water services to most businesses across Scotland. Working with you, we aim to continue to improve and develop the range of services we provide. As part of our services, we have an obligation to explain your responsibilities under the Water Byelaws legislation.
Scottish Water has a responsibility to enforce Water Byelaws in all properties that have a public water supply.
The Water Byelaws were created under Section 70 of the Water (Scotland) Act 1980 to ensure the safety of the water supply. The main aim is to prevent contamination of the public water supply, and to help you prevent waste, misuse and undue consumption of water.
How do Byelaws affect you?
The Water Byelaws apply to all plumbing systems, water fittings and appliances connected to the public water supply.
They help to ensure that any plumbing system in your business premises is installed and maintained correctly.
Complying with Water Byelaws can help to prevent any potential contamination of the public water supply or to other parts of your business.
It is important that you understand that Water Byelaws can protect:
- You, your employees and neighbouring businesses; by protecting drinking water and therefore the health and safety of everyone.
- You as a business owner or the business, from criminal prosecution and potentially substantial fines.
Helping you comply
If you or, your business are an owner or occupier of a property or, you install or maintain plumbing systems and water fittings you have a legal obligation to comply with Water Byelaws. In addition, architects, developers, plumbers and builders need to ensure the requirements are met for future owners or occupiers.
To help you comply with Water Byelaws Scottish Water has produced an information leaflet called: Water Byelaws Explained
This information leaflet can be found in associated links on the right, together with useful web links described below:
www.ukwir.co.uk UK Water Industry Research site - contains information and reports on the latest research and development carried out on behalf of Water Suppliers/Companies from across the UK.
www.wras.co.uk Water Regulations Advisory Scheme site - contains up to date interpretations of the Water Byelaws/Regulations as well as access to many guidance documents, the Fittings and Materials Directory and relevant contacts for further guidance and support.
http://www.fwr.org Foundation for Water Research - an independent, not for profit organisation, with charitable status, that shares and disseminates knowledge about water, wastewater and research into related environmental issues.
www.bsonline.bsi-global.com British Standards Online - the authoritative and most current site for all BSI publications. Updated daily, the site includes over 38,500 current, draft and historic British Standards, more than 16,000 of which are BSI adopted European and International standards.
www.water.org.uk Water UK - the industry association that represents all UK water and wastewater service suppliers at national and European level. Actively seeks to develop policy and improve understanding in areas that involve the industry, its customers and stakeholders.
www.clescotland.co.uk The Construction Licensing Executive (CLE ) aims to eradicate 'rogue traders' by providing consumers with a list of reputable Scottish Construction Companies.
www.needaplumber.org The search site for Licensed Plumbers in your area, visit the site and simply enter your postcode and search.
If you want to talk to one of our team of experts then call our Customer Helpline on 0845 601 8855 or email our Byelaws team at byelaws@scottishwater.co.uk
