Introduction

If you are hosting a large event, you must have a wholesome water supply, free from bacteria, parasites and chemical contamination for drinking, food preparation and personal hygiene.

Failure to ensure that the water supply is safe may in some circumstances prevent your event from going ahead if the council or the water utility company assess that there is a significant risk to consumers.

If you plan to use any of the water sources referred to here, or any combination of them, please contact us to discuss your plans so that we can help you to have a safe water supply.

All water supplies should be installed to ensure water safety, following British Standards Institution – BS 8551:2015, the code of practice for temporary water supplies.

Using mains water at events

Providing mains water to third parties, for example, food traders, is a ‘Private Distribution System’ under the Private Water Supplies Regulations 2009.  As the event organiser, you are responsible for any deterioration in the quality of the water supplied from the water main to the final consumer.

Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 mean you must notify the water utility company of your intention to use a mains water supply, even if it is only a temporary arrangement.

You may need to consider if water treatment is required to supplement the residual chlorine levels of the mains water to ensure that the water remains safe while being stored and distributed around the site.

The supply network must be clearly mapped and provided to the council, with details of all pipelines, tanks, pressure breaks, treatment systems if applicable, taps and so on.

To show to the council that the supply is safe, the water will need to be sampled prior to the event.

You must have an emergency water plan in place detailing how you would provide an alternative water supply in the event of loss of supply or contamination of the supply.

Using tankered water at events

Tankered water includes water stored or distributed from any mobile or static water tanks, for example pillow tanks and water bowsers.  As the event organiser you will be responsible for any deterioration in the quality of the water supplied.

To show to the council that the supply is safe, the water will need to be sampled before the event.

Tanks must be cleaned before use and before refilling. Only fill tanks with water from a known source, preferably a mains water supply.

If the tanker is emptied within 48 hours of deployment, sampling is not required. If the tanker is still in use after 48 hours further sampling will be required to ensure the water remains safe to drink.

The supply network must be clearly mapped and provided to the council, with details of all pipelines, tanks, pressure breaks, treatment systems if applicable, taps and so on.

You must have an emergency water plan in place detailing how you would provide an alternative water supply in the event of loss of supply or contamination of the supply.

Using private water supplies at events

If you plan to use a private water supply such as a spring, well or borehole the supply must be registered with the council.

The water must be treated before drinking, for example, by ultraviolet light (UV) or chlorination and comply with the Private Water Supplies Regulations 2009.

To show to the council that the supply is safe, clean drinking water, the supply will need to be sampled prior to the event.

The supply network must be clearly mapped and provided to the council, with details of all pipelines, tanks, pressure breaks, treatment systems if applicable, taps and so on.

The supply must be risk assessed in accordance with the Private Water Supplies Regulations 2009. Please contact the council to arrange this.

You must have an emergency water plan in place detailing how you would provide an alternative water supply in the event of loss of supply or contamination of the supply.

You can read more about fees and charges for water supplies