Domestic premises

Domestic premises, including DIY projects

Apart from the building of a new house, many types of domestic plumbing, including most DIY projects do not require Notification to the water company.

Works at a domestic premises that require notification:-

• The erection of a new building (which receives a water supply).
• The installation of a bath of capacity > 250L.
• A bidet with an ascending spray or flexible hose.
• Certain high water consumption showers.
• Installation of a booster pump of capacity > 12 L/min.
• A water softener or reverse osmosis equipment.
• An automatic garden watering system.
• Water pipes laid at a depth of < 750mm or > 1350mm.
• The construction of a pond or swimming pool of capacity > 10000L.

For a complete list of installations which require Notification go to the Notification section or see Regulation 5.

If you have any doubt about the work that you intend to carry out, we recommend that you use a plumber approved under a water industry approved scheme. These plumbers are assessed for their skills and knowledge of the trade and will provide you with a certificate of compliance to the Water Regulations for any work that they carry out. For more information go to the Approved installers section.

We strongly recommend that you check the suitability of fittings before you buy them. This can be done by looking on the fitting itself, checking the instructions manual or for evidence of approval by WRAS (the Water Regulations Advisory Service) who can also be contacted by visiting their website at www.wras.co.uk.

In addition, Essex & Suffolk Water have a dedicated team of Water Regulations personnel, who will be pleased to advise you on the correct way to install or modify plumbing fittings in the home. We can also advise on techniques and products which may enable you to reduce water consumption.

For further assistance, including copies of our information sheets covering several common topics, please contact the water regulations team.