WaterSafe and Scottish Water Launch Recruitment Drive to Sign Up Qualified Plumbers to Protect Water Quality

WaterSafe, the national body for approved plumbers, is launching a recruitment drive backed by Scottish Water to sign up more qualified plumbers in Scotland to its register to help keep tap water fresh and healthy.

The drive launches with a film showcasing WaterSafe plumbers and water industry experts who highlight the importance and benefits of competent plumbers.

When water leaves Scottish Water’s mains and enters the pipes supplying a property, it becomes the owner’s responsibility to keep it safe and free from contamination.

However, poor plumbing in the home or workplace can easily create problems – such as strange tastes and smells, discoloured water, leaks and wasted water or, in the worst cases, contamination with bacteria such as E. coli.

That’s why Scottish Water supports the UK-wide plumber approval scheme WaterSafe. Plumbers on the register are fully trained in the The Water Supply (Water Fittings) (Scotland) Byelaws 2014, designed to keep water safe, and not waste it, as well as being appropriately insured and having a customer redress scheme in place.

As an added bonus, plumbers on the WaterSafe register can self-notify work to Scottish Water – and issue a certificate stating that the plumbing work complies with the regulations, which protects customers from any legal comeback.

Amanda Craik, Scottish Water’s Customer Water Services Byelaws Team Manager, said: “Scottish Water wants to ensure that our excellent quality water can be enjoyed by all of our five million customers, and visitors, wherever they are in the country.

“That’s why Scottish Water always recommends using a plumber who’s approved by WaterSafe, to ensure the plumbing is correct and safe, and to help protect the public supply.

“We’re calling on plumbers who think they meet the criteria to sign up to WaterSafe and be listed within its online register. This will make it quick and easy for everyone in Scotland to find a trusted, qualified plumber near them.”

Members of WaterSafe benefit from:

1. Free promotion and branding – a listing on the largest online directory for approved plumbers in the UK – which is promoted by Scottish Water

2. Customer reassurance – that you’re qualified and trusted to work safely with water by Scottish Water and the drinking water regulator

3. A direct link to Scottish Water – to self-notify plumbing work and access free advice on the water byelaws.

Julie Spinks, Director of WaterSafe, said: “Being a member of WaterSafe is a great way for competent plumbers to provide immediate reassurance to their customers that they are qualified to do the job and keep their drinking water safe.

“WaterSafe is supported by all the water companies in the UK, including Scottish Water, as well as the Drinking Water Quality Regulator for Scotland, and membership comes with many benefits.

“We’d urge plumbers who are proud of their work and want to find out more about joining, or taking the final training steps to join, to get in touch today.”

To join WaterSafe, plumbers must be qualified, have a water regulations certificate, and be a member of an existing approved contractors’ scheme. In Scotland this can be the Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers’ Federation or the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering. Once a member of one of these schemes, plumbers can join WaterSafe for free. Plumbers interested in finding out more can visit watersafe.org.uk/howtojoin or call 0333 207 9030.

People looking for an approved plumber can search the directory at right.