Water is treated to a high standard in Scotland. It is vital to keep it safe by making sure that anyone who undertakes work on the plumbing inside your home is qualified to do so. WaterSafe can help you do this."
When you are looking for a plumbing business, we recommend you select one which is an eligible member of an Approved Contractors’ Scheme, such as the WaterSafe scheme. WaterSafe is a dedicated online search facility bringing together thousands of qualified contractors employed by plumbing businesses from the seven pre-existing Approved Contractors’ Schemes across the UK. Its aim is to help customers to find the nearest qualified plumbing and heating professionals in their area and promote water safety in the home and for businesses. The Scheme is funded by the water industry and is free to use. In order to be featured on the WaterSafe website, all contractors must be a member of an Approved Contractors‘ Scheme, ensuring they provide a quality service. DWQR supports the aims of the WaterSafe scheme. SNIPEF, The Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers Federation, operate one of the pre-existing Approved Contractors’ Schemes.
Using an approved contractor will give you the following benefits:
- Approved contractors are fully qualified to carry out plumbing work in homes and business premises. They have specific training in Water Fittings Regulations and Byelaws, which enables them to ensure there should be no risk from poor installation or sub-standard materials that could cause contamination of your drinking water supply.
- They will issue a ‘work completed’ certificate for their work, which provides a defence for property owners who are challenged by a water supplier enforcing the Water Fittings Regulations and Byelaws.
- For most types of plumbing work, plumbers have a legal duty to notify the water supplier before they start work and this can lead to delays. Approved contractors can carry out some work without the need to provide advanced notification to the water supplier.
- Approved businesses hold public and employers’ liability insurance.
- There is an independent complaints procedure in place to resolve any technical disputes about how the work has been carried out, should a concern arise.
- Approved businesses will be required to put their work right if it does not meet the requirements of the Water Fittings Regulations or Byelaws, enforced by the water supplier.
- Approved businesses are audited to check they are complying with the rules of their Approved Contractors’ Scheme.
Find out more about Scottish Water Byelaws: The Byelaws
Find out more about the WaterSafe scheme on their website here: WaterSafe | Local Approved Plumbers
Find out more about Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers’ Federation (SNIPEF) on their website here: SNIPEF Link