Private water supplies

What is a private water supply?

Private water supplies are regulated under the Private Water Supplies (England) Regulations 2016 (as amended).

A private water supply is one that is not provided directly by a water undertaker (this will be Severn Trent or United Utilities), where the water is used for human consumption. A private water supply may come from:

  • a well
  • a borehole
  • a spring
  • a watercourse

If you own your own property and you pay someone other than a water undertaker for your water, you may be on a private water supply.

Human consumption includes water used for:

  • drinking
  • sanitation and hygiene (including use for flushing toilets)
  • central heating
  • laundry