Ceri Jones

As Ceri Jones prepares to step down as Chair of WaterSafe, we caught up with him to discuss what brought him to WaterSafe in the first place, what he’s most proud of achieving during his tenure and his hopes for both his own future and the broader water sector.

The Journey to WaterSafe

Ceri’s path to becoming a respected figure in the water sector began, surprisingly enough, with a background in economics. After starting out in government and then consultancy, he found his calling at Northumbrian Water. There, for many years, he served on the Board with wide-ranging responsibilities, including health and safety and water quality.

Upon retiring from Northumbrian Water, Ceri felt a clear pull. He wanted to continue contributing his wealth of experience and knowledge for the good of the sector. It was this desire that naturally led him to WaterSafe.

A Champion for the Plumber

It quickly became clear in our conversation that Ceri holds plumbers in extremely high regard. He sees them as the indispensable 'glue' – the vital connection between complex water regulations, water companies, and the everyday consumer.

"Plumbers make decisions every single day that can have significant health or environmental impacts," Ceri explained, emphasising the importance of their role. "Every tool they choose, every material they select, and how much training they undertake – these decisions have a real impact on customers and potentially on public health." He understands that sometimes even good plumbers might have ingrained habits that need a gentle nudge.

Confronting a Preventable Hazard: "Not In My Bag!"

This thoughtful perspective on plumbers' daily decisions was the backdrop for one of WaterSafe’s impactful initiatives: the lead-free solder campaign. Ceri is passionate about this. While lead solder was banned in the UK for drinking water systems back in 1987, its lingering presence in some toolbags concerned him.

He highlighted the potentially severe health effects of lead contamination, particularly for children and pregnant women, ranging from developmental issues and nervous system damage to reduced IQ, even at very low levels.

Ceri believes that if lead solder is still in a plumber's toolbag today, it's likely just habit. “But,” he warned, “having it there at all is unnecessary, it tempts poor practice, and it’s a bad habit to pass on." What truly bothers him is that lead in drinking water is a preventable public health hazard. "Lead-free alternatives perform just as well," he shared, recalling a telling blind test with younger apprentices who actually preferred the lead-free option!

Unifying for a Collective Interest

Looking back, Ceri spoke with satisfaction about the changes he’s witnessed and helped to steer at WaterSafe. He’s particularly pleased to see water company-approved contractor schemes consolidating under the WaterSafe brand, making it a much simpler and clearer proposition for both customers and plumbers alike.

He’s clearly enjoyed working closely with key industry players, including the drinking water inspectorates (DWI, DWI NI, DWQR) and respected bodies like The Worshipful Company of Plumbers. Ceri has always believed plumbing should be more highly regarded as a trade with approved plumber accreditation given more recognition. As Chair, he actively supported industry sponsorships for apprenticeship competitions and initiatives that champion plumbing as a fantastic career choice – something that leaves him optimistic about the future talent pipeline.

Ceri affectionately calls these efforts "collaborations around a collective interest," firmly believing that this kind of cooperation is vital for upholding standards and ensuring water quality remains a top priority. He takes genuine pride in helping to make WaterSafe a sustainable organisation, especially as health, environmental standards, and security grow ever more critical.

The Next Chapter

As our conversation ended, Ceri reflected that there's always more work to be done. He shared a personal hope: to see a major public campaign that truly explains why customers should choose an approved contractor.

"I know it’s dry," he quipped with a smile, "but there's so much about our water that's taken for granted."

But that’s a challenge for the next leader. For now, this proud Welshman is looking forward to stepping back and savouring the beauty of his adopted home in Northumberland. Ceri Jones leaves WaterSafe having made a lasting impact on the safety and quality of our water, driven by a deep respect for the professionals who make it happen.