Water Supply Pipe Installers Join the WaterSafe Family

UK plumbing register WaterSafe is welcoming up to 1,500 approved water supply pipe installers, also known as groundworkers, to its membership.

It comes as the organisation is urging customers to always use an approved contractor to work on their underground supply pipe, which carries water to a property from the water main in the street. This is to make sure they get safe and wholesome drinking water and help prevent leaks.

WaterSafe is the register for approved contractors working with drinking water, making it easy for people to find someone who’s competent and qualified.

Being WaterSafe approved means that you’re specifically trained in the regulations that help keep drinking water healthy in homes and businesses – which is why you’re promoted by all UK water companies and drinking water regulators.

Research by WaterSafe* found that:

• Around 80 per cent of those surveyed would be more likely to trust a tradesperson or company to work on their water supply pipe, if they were backed by their local water company

• Almost a third of homeowners, and over a quarter of non-domestic customers, weren’t aware that they’re usually responsible for their property’s water supply pipe

• 82 per cent of householders would be worried about the amount of water being lost, if there was a leak on their supply pipe.

WaterSafe has produced a new animated film, setting out the benefits of using a WaterSafe-approved water supply pipe installer. It’s available via the WaterSafe YouTube channel.

Julie Spinks, Director of WaterSafe, said: “It’s fantastic to welcome these approved water supply pipe installers to our membership, making it even easier for people to visit our website watersafe.org.uk and find someone they can trust to do a good job.

“Becoming a WaterSafe member is free, if you’re already signed up to one of the seven Approved Contractor schemes in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. There are lots of benefits, including free promotion and branding, with a listing on the largest online directory for approved drinking water contractors in the UK, promoted to thousands of people each day, and by your local water company.”

Julie continued: “Our advice to customers is to always have their water supply pipe installed or fixed by a trusted professional, like a WaterSafe-approved installer or other Watersafe-approved contractor, helping ensure everyone in the property gets safe and wholesome drinking water and stopping water being wasted through leaks.”

“Water supply pipe installers are only approved to work on the supply pipe from the external stop tap, up to the internal stop tap of a property. So, if you need work on your internal plumbing, you should use an approved plumber, who is approved for all types of plumbing work.”

To join WaterSafe, water supply pipe installers must have a recognised water fittings regulations certificate and be a member of one of the seven Approved Contractor schemes that make up WaterSafe.

For more information on WaterSafe and the benefits of becoming a member, please visit watersafe.org.uk/join_wspi.

*WaterSafe interviewed 2,000 UK homeowners and 500 non-household building owners and managers in November 2021.