Q. ARE THEY RETROSPECTIVE?

A. No, provided that the plumbing system, water fitting or water-using appliance was lawfully installed under the previous Water Supply Byelaws. Where fittings were lawfully installed, the current water fittings Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations and Byelaws cannot be used to require changes to be made.

However, if the water supplier considers that there is a significant risk of water being contaminated or wasted by these fittings (even if they complied with Water Supply Byelaws in force at the time they were installed) the water supplier can insist on improvements.

The legal provisions within the Water Industry Act 1991, Water (Scotland) Act 1980 or The Water and Sewerage Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006, allow water suppliers to require necessary improvements to be made.