National Plumber Scheme Celebrates 10^th Anniversary

WaterSafe, the national register of approved plumbers and water contractors, is celebrating 10 years of protecting the UK’s drinking water quality.

To appear on WaterSafe’s online register, contractors must be qualified in the relevant water and plumbing regulations and meet minimum qualification requirements.

It was founded in October 2013 by the UK water industry, numerous plumbing member bodies and the Worshipful Company of Plumbers, which dates back to 1365 when it received its Ordinances from the City of London, setting the standard for quality plumbing for centuries to come.

As well as approving plumbers to work on homes and businesses plumbing systems, the scheme includes specialist contractors qualified to install water supply pipes which connect properties to the water main, and those responsible for fitting and testing reduced pressure zone valves in large premises such as hospitals.

Ceri Jones, Chair of WaterSafe, said: “As was the case when the scheme began in 2013, its strength today is that it covers the whole of the UK, providing a single register for qualified and approved water contractors.

“Recent research proves just how vital it is for the scheme to continue. Almost a fifth of consumers surveyed have used a plumber to complete work they’d tried to carry out themselves, and more than half of plumbers fix other installers’ work, or DIY jobs, every day.

“Poor plumbing practices can cause a whole host of problems and contaminate drinking water supplies in homes and businesses, so using a WaterSafe contractor is key to prevent this and reassure customers their chosen contractor is competent.

“Of course, the success of WaterSafe is due to the professionalism and quality of our almost-8,000 members. I’d like to thank all our plumbers and contractors for their dedication in improving plumbing standards and protecting water quality in the nation’s homes and businesses.”

Marcus Rink, Chief Inspector at the Drinking Water Inspectorate said: “I’d like to congratulate WaterSafe on their 10-year anniversary.

“While the nation’s drinking water is overwhelmingly safe, with 99.7% of tap water samples passing stringent safety checks last year, poor plumbing is a leading factor of water quality failures, which can lead to illness.

“We’d recommend people always choose a suitably qualified, approved, plumber to help avoid their water supply becoming contaminated.

“Consumers should use an installer who is approved through a national accreditation body for competent and qualified installers, such as WaterSafe.”

Those looking for a qualified plumber or water contractor should visit www.watersafe.org.uk to find their local, approved, contractor.