The Byelaws were created by Scottish Water under Section 70 of the Water (Scotland) Act 1980. The main aim of the Water Byelaws is to ensure the quality of drinking water is to the highest standard and to prevent contamination of the public water supply. They must be adhered to in all properties that have a public water supply. The principles and good plumbing practice they advocate however are equally relevant to securing a safe private water supply within premises to safeguard users against consuming contaminated drinking water.
Find out more about Scottish Water Byelaws: The Byelaws
DWQR considers compliance with the Byelaws to be essential to minimising the risk of contamination of drinking water. Scottish Water enforces the Byelaws, in all properties that have a public water supply.
Where properties are connected to the public water mains, responsibility for compliance with the Scottish Water Byelaws lies firmly with property owners. Where there are dual supplies from both the public water mains and private sources, these owners must ensure their apparatus and pipework arrangements are such that there is no possibility of backflow into the mains.
We would always recommend the use of licensed plumbers. A licensed or approved plumber will certify that his or her work meets the requirements of Water Byelaws and you should ensure this is provided on completion of any work. If any breaches are subsequently found in the certified work, the legal responsibility would fall upon the plumber and not you, as the owner or occupier. Scottish Water advises the use of professional plumbers and plumbing contractors who are members of recognised national licensing schemes.
Click here for information on Approved Plumbers