Private water supplies

Cumbria has many commercial and domestic premises that draw their water from private supplies. As a council we have a legal responsibility to sample the water from these premises.

We also act as the regulators for private water supplies and have a number of statutory duties under the Private Water Supplies Regulations. 

These regulations place a duty on us to conduct a risk assessment of each private water supply within their area and to undertake monitoring in order to determine compliance with drinking water standards. 

We also have powers under the regulations to require that a supply is improved by the relevant person(s) who control the supply.

More information on private water supplies

Further information about the responsibilities of the owner/operator/user of the supply can be found on the  Defra website's private water supply page .

Arranging an inspection of your private water supply

Use our general enquiry form to arrange an inspection, register your private water supply with us and arrange dairy hygiene monitoring. Mark your enquiry for the Environmental Protection team and provide contact details so we can ring you back.

Arrange an inspection of your supply

Consultation

Defra has carried out a consultation on the proposed amendments to the Private Water Supply Regulations 2016 and the Private Water Supplies Regulations. Full details of the outcome of the consultation can be found on the Government website .