UK Statutory Instrument 1999 United Kingdom

Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999

What this means for your business

5 obligations
1 penalties
1 guides
Enforced by
Ofgem, NSTA, ONR
Applies to
United Kingdom
On this page
5 compliance obligations, 1 practical guide
Read full text on legislation.gov.uk

What you must do

5 compliance obligations under this legislation.

Management duties 1

Fit and maintain water fittings to required standards

If your business installs, repairs, alters or replaces water fittings, you must only use fittings that meet a recognised British Standard or an equivalent regulator‑approved specification and that are suitable for their intended use. All work must follow the detailed requirements in Schedule 2 and be carried out in a work‑manlike way using approved methods or guidance from the water undertaker.

Contractor s.4 NSTA When installing, connecting, altering, repairing, disconnecting or replacing a water fitting, or …

Notifications 1

Notify regulator and publish when approving water fittings

If your business approves a water fitting specification or installation method, you must immediately let the regulator know and make the approval publicly available. This keeps users and regulators informed that the method meets the required standards.

Trader/Business s.12 NSTA When you approve a method of installation under regulation 4

Other requirements 1

Enforce water fitting regulations in your area

If you're a water undertaker, you must actively enforce the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 in the area you supply. This means checking that water fittings comply with the legal standards, dealing with non‑compliance, and working with the regulator or Authority to keep your service lawful.

Any Person s.10 NSTA When you hold an appointment under Part II of the Water Supply …

Offences and prohibitions 1

Commence water‑fitting work without required notice or consent

Fine up to £1,000

If you start any work listed in regulation 5(1) – such as installing, altering, repairing, connecting or disconnecting a water fitting – without giving the required notice, without obtaining the required consent, or in breach of a condition imposed under regulation 5(4), you commit a criminal offence. The same applies if you breach the requirements of regulation 3 or 6. On summary conviction you face a fine of up to £1,000 (level 3 on the standard scale).

Any Person s.7 Ofgem

Reporting and filing 1

Provide contractor’s certificate for water fitting work

When you (or a contractor you hire) install, alter, connect or disconnect a water fitting, you must give the client a signed statement confirming the fitting meets the regulations. If the fitting also needs to be notified under regulation 5(1), you must send a copy of that statement to the water supplier.

Contractor s.6 NSTA When a water fitting is installed, altered, connected or disconnected by an …

Penalties for non-compliance

1 penalty under this legislation.

Fine

Commence water‑fitting work without required notice or consent

Fine up to £1,000

Summary only s.7 Penalises: Commence water‑fitting work without required notice or consent

Practical guidance

Our guides explain how to comply with the requirements above.

Sections and provisions

14 classified provisions from this legislation.

Duties 4

  • s.4 Requirements for water fittings etc. water fitting
  • s.6 Contractor’s certificate
  • s.10 Enforcement
  • s.12 Approval by the regulator or the water undertaker

Offences and penalties 1

  • s.7 Penalty for contravening regulations

Powers 2

  • s.9 Inspections, measurements and tests
  • s.11 Relaxation of requirements

Definitions 2

  • s.1 Citation, commencement and interpretation means the Water Industry Act 1991; - “approved contractor means a category of fluid described in Schedule 1 to these Regulations; - ... - “material change of use means– in relation to any water undertakers whose area of appointment is wholly or mainly in Wales and their area of appointment, the National Assembly of Wales;in relation to all other water undertakers and their area of appointment, the Secretary of State; - “supply pipe
  • s.2 Application of Regulations

Exemptions 1