Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs

Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999
Guidance Document relating to
Schedule 1: Fluid Categories and
Schedule 2: Requirements For Water Fittings
[See Regulation 4(3)]

SECTION 10

Schedule 2: Paragraphs 26, 27 and 28: Baths, sinks, showers and taps

  1. All premises supplied with water for domestic purposes shall have at least one tap conveniently situated for the drawing of drinking water.

  2. (1) A drinking water tap shall be supplied with water from
    a supply pipe;
    b pump delivery pipe drawing water from a supply pipe; or
    c distributing pipe drawing water exclusively from a storage cistern supplying wholesome water.

  3. (1) Subject to paragraph (2), every bath, wash basin, sink or similar appliance shall be provided with a watertight and readily accessible plug or other device capable of closing the waste outlet.

    (2) This requirement does not apply to-

    1. an appliance where the only taps provided are spray taps;
    2. a washing trough or wash basin whose waste outlet is incapable of accepting a plug and to which water is delivered at a rate not exceeding 0.06 litres per second exclusively from a fitting designed or adapted for that purpose;
    3. a wash basin or washing trough fitted with self-closing taps;
    4. a shower bath or shower tray;
    5. a drinking water fountain or similar facility; or
    6. an appliance which is used in medical, dental or veterinary premises and is designed or adapted for use with an unplugged outlet.

Guidance

Drinking water points

G26.1   All premises supplied with water for domestic purposes should have at least one conveniently situated tap for supplying drinking water directly from the supply pipe..

G26.2   In houses, a drinking water draw-off tap should normally be sited over the kitchen sink.

Drinking water supplies

G27.1   All taps supplying drinking water should be fed from a source of wholesome water and preferably be supplied with water directly of a supply pipe. Where insufficient water pressure is available in the supply pipe and:

  1. the demand is less than 0.2 litres per second; or
  2. if a larger demand is required and the water undertaker agrees, drinking water may be pumped directly from the supply pipe.

G27.2   Where it is impracticable to supply drinking water from the supply pipe, the water should be taken from a distributing pipe drawing wholesome water from a storage cistern.

G27.3   Water that has been softened on site should only be used for drinking purposes when the treated water is wholesome.

G27.4   Except in a house, all taps that are supplied with cold water that is not wholesome should be labelled 'Not Drinking Water'.

G27.5   Except for the following appliances, all baths, wash basins, sinks and similar appliances should be provided with a watertight and readily accessible plug or some other device capable of closing the water outlet:

  1. an appliance where the only taps provided are spray taps;
  2. a washing trough or wash basin where the waste outlet is incapable of accepting a plug and to which water is delivered at a rate not exceeding 0.06 litres per second exclusively from a fitting designed or adapted for that purpose;
  3. a wash basin or washing trough fitted with self-closing taps;
  4. a shower bath or shower tray;
  5. a drinking water fountain or similar facility; or
  6. an appliance which is used in medical, dental or veterinary premises and is designed or adapted for use with an unplugged outlet.

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Published 22 December 1999
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