Why we work with WaterSafe

Company details

Web: www.watersafe.org.uk

Telephone number: 0333 207 9030

Email: info@watersafe.org.uk

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We know that people are always worried about cowboys in the main trades such as plumbing, so it is great to have an organisation which has qualified and quality plumbers such as WaterSafe to recommend to consumers. What better protection can you have when you need a plumber than knowing you have someone who is qualified in the complex Water Fittings Regulations and Byelaws which protect public drinking water in the UK and have an understanding of who is responsible for replacing and repairing water pipes to and from your property.

What do they do

WaterSafe is a free online search facility to help customers find competent and qualified plumbers in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

It will help you find a qualified plumbing engineer in your area. WaterSafe-approved plumbers all meet strict legal requirements for installing water pipes and fittings, to help reduce the risk of contaminated drinking water.

All businesses and their plumbers featured on the WaterSafe website have been checked and must belong to one of seven existing approved contractors’ schemes across the UK:

• The Water Industry Approved Plumbers’ Scheme (WIAPS)

• Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors (APHC)

• Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE)

• Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers’ Federation (SNIPEF)

• Anglian Water’s APLUS

• Severn Trent’s Watermark 

• Thames Water’s TAPS

Plumbers approved through WaterSafe have specific training in the Water Fittings Regulations and Byelaws, to ensure they meet the strict legal requirements for installing water pipes and fittings.

WaterSafe approved businesses must adhere to the WaterSafe customer commitments, conditions of membership and scheme rules.

All members of WaterSafe carry agreed levels of public liability insurance.

From the beginning

WaterSafe was established in 2013 and is funded by all the UK water companies. It is supported by the government watchdogs for drinking water, the Drinking Water Inspectorate in England and Wales, the Drinking Water Inspectorate (Northern Ireland) and the Drinking Water Quality Regulator in Scotland. It was set up to help customers find plumbers who are fully qualified and understand the requirements of the Water Fittings Regulations and Byelaws and avoid drinking water quality in the home being compromised by poor plumbing practices.

How much does it cost?

Consumers can search for a plumber free of charge by typing in their postcode on www.watersafe.org.uk

Plumbing businesses can gain WaterSafe accreditation free of charge if they meet the strict criteria. They must join one of seven approved contractors’ schemes – and pay any relevant membership schemes – and then meet WaterSafe’s additional requirements, which include employing qualified staff and having £2m of public liability insurance.

Top three tips

1. Always make sure you know the location of your stop tap in case you need to turn the water off quickly in an emergency.
2. Look out for leaks – tell-tale signs include radiator rust, stains on walls, floors and carpets, mould on ceilings and walls, low pressure or patches of lush grass outside. Leaks can cause damage to your property and cost you money if you are on a meter.
3. Use a WaterSafe approved plumber to carry out work in your home and keep their number to hand in case you need to contact them urgently.