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Private drinking water

Explains what a private and public drinking water supply is, who to notify if you have one, is the water sampled, how much does it cost , making it safe to drink and who to contact.

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What is a private drinking water supply?

A private water supply (PWS) is any water supply which supplies one or more properties, that is not provided by a water company.

A private drinking water supply can originate from a range of sources including boreholes, natural springs, a well and water courses and includes water a private supply used in food production.

What is a public drinking water supply?

A public drinking water supply is the most common supply. It is a mains water supply and in the East Riding of Yorkshire this is mostly supplied by Yorkshire Water.

If you have a problem with a public supply this should be raised with water company.

Should I notify you that I have a private drinking water supply?

Yes. The Private Water Supplies (England) Regulations 2016 (as amended) apply to all private water supplies. Please notify the Food Services team about the following:

  • any new private water supply (PWS)
  • any change to an existing private water supply (PWS)
  • when an existing private water supply (PWS) is being brought back into use after 12 months of it not being used.

Please contact Food Services directly for more information on this:

Food Services contact details

Do you sample all private water supplies?

No. It depends on the volume and usage of the supply. Water supplies used for irrigation purposes do not need to be sampled. Generally private water supplies that require statutory sampling are those that are used for human consumption where there is also a public or commercial undertaking as follows:

  • Human consumption includes drinking, cooking, food preparation and other domestic purposes (including toilet flushing and other sanitary purposes)
  • Public activity includes those serving any premises where the water is made available to the public for human consumption for example public buildings, garden parties
  • Commercial undertakings include:
    • Food production including manufacture, processing, preservation or marketing of products or substances intended for human consumption.
    • Hotels, guest houses, restaurants, cafes and bed and breakfast (B&B) establishments, including single private dwellings where B&B is available.
    • Holiday let accommodation.
    • Caravan sites, camp sites and similar facilities, whether seasonal or open all year.
    • Registered child minders
    • Tenanted properties.

Further information can be found here:

dwi.gov.uk - Guidance documents: Information note on Regulation 9 (external website)

Does it cost anything to have my private water supply sampled?

Yes, there is a charge for statutory private drinking water sampling. The charge for sampling depends on the type of supply that is being sampled. The total charge is also dependent on whether the supply needs to be risk assessed and whether any investigation work needs to be undertaken in response to unsatisfactory results. Any charges involved will be fully explained by an officer before sampling is arranged.

All private water supply charges are required to be paid for at least 5 days in advance of the site visit. The officer will provide further details on this when required.

A summary of statutory private drinking water charges can be viewed in the document below:

Food Services and Animal Health - Fees and Charges Schedule for 2026-27 (Apr 26)

Who do I contact about private water supplies?

If the supply is in the East Riding you can contact the food services team for further information on private drinking water statutory sampling costs, methods, details, and treatments.

Email: food.services@eastriding.gov.uk
Tel: (01482) 396301

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