What are Water Byelaws?

Scottish Water provides reliable and cost effective water services to over 2 million households across Scotland.

We have a responsibility to apply Water Byelaws in all properties that have a public water supply. The 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 home is installed and maintained correctly. Complying with these Byelaws can help to prevent any potential contamination of the public water supply or to other parts of your home.

It is important that you understand that Water Byelaws can protect:

• You, your family and neighbours; by protecting drinking water and therefore the health and safety of everyone
• You, from criminal prosecution and potentially substantial fines.

Helping you comply

If you’re an owner or occupier of a property or you install or maintain plumbing systems and water fittings you have a legal obligation to the requirements of the 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 Byelaws Scottish Water has produced information leaflet called:

Water Byelaws Explained

The information leaflet can be found in associated links on the right, also look at the following useful web links

www.ukwir.co.uk UK Water Industry Research  - 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  - 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.

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.

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