Future management of private water supply pipes

This public consultation seeks views and evidence to further enhance our impact assessment on the policy options regarding future management of water supply pipes.

Private owners are generally currently responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of water supply pipes. In many cases these water supply pipes are not sufficiently maintained and repaired. This can create an increased risk of failure for drinking water quality standards.

Evidence suggests that there is a general lack of public understanding over the ownership and responsibility for water supply pipes. Water supply companies repair policies for private water supply pipes vary from company to company, creating inconsistency and this add to public misunderstanding.

Our proposal is to create a power which will allow future regulations to be made to transfer ownership of the portion of water supply pipes that are currently privately owned, to the water supply companies. If introduced, this could reduce leakage, protect water quality and help to ensure that our water supplies remain resilient and sustainable for the future.