Notification

A requirement to provide the water undertaker (water supplier) with advanced notice of a proposal to install a water fitting in connection with any of the operations listed below:

1.   The erection of a building or other structure, not being a pond or swimming pool.

2.  The extension or alteration of a water system on any premises other than a house.

3.  A material change of use of any premises.

4.  The installation of–

(a)  a bath having a capacity, as measured to the centre line of overflow, of more than 230 litres;

(b)  a bidet with an ascending spray or flexible hose;

(c)  a single shower unit (which may consist of one or more shower heads within a single unit), not being a drench shower installed for reasons of safety or health, connected directly or indirectly to a supply pipe which is of a type specified by the regulator;

(d)  a pump or booster drawing more than 12 litres per minute, connected directly or indirectly to a supply pipe;

(e)  a unit which incorporates reverse osmosis;

(f)  a water treatment unit which produces a waste water discharge or which requires the use of water for regeneration or cleaning;

(g)  a reduced pressure zone valve assembly or other mechanical device for protection against a fluid which is in fluid category 4 or 5*;

(h)  a garden watering system unless designed to be operated by hand; or

(i)  any water system laid outside a building and either less than 750mm or more than1350mm below ground level.

5. The construction of a pond or swimming pool with a capacity greater than 10,000 litres which is designed to be replenished by automatic means and is to be filled with water supplied by a water undertaker.

In Northern Ireland in addition to the above, notification is required for:

• grey-water, recycled water, reclaimed water and rainwater harvesting systems
• water systems for firefighting, including domestic sprinkler 
• flexible shower hose or other flexible outlets for use in conjunction with a WC
• a ‘shower toilet’ or ‘bidet toilet’ where either as part of a the WC itself or as an addition or adaptation of it, a stream of water is provided from below the spillover level of the WC pan for personal cleansing. 

For further details please refer to the publication ‘Information on notification of proposed plumbing work’ notification booklet. 

*Note: following the publication of AIM 8-01 ‘The Water Undertakers approved method of installation for the installation, on site testing and maintenance of Type BA devices (RPZ valves)’ it is now a requirement to provide water undertakers (water suppliers) with advanced notification of all proposals to install a Type BA air gap (RPZ valve). 

Regulation 5 of the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations and/or Scottish Water Byelaws.