WIAPS FAQs

How is WIAPS different to WaterSafe?

WIAPS is one of six Approved Contractors’ schemes operating across the UK. Each of the schemes is either operated by a water company or appointed by the Secretary of State recognised in law under the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations and Scottish Water Byelaws. The current Approved Contractors’ Schemes are:

  • The Water Industry Approved Plumbers’ Scheme (WIAPS)
  • Anglian Water’s A Plus
  • Severn Trent’s WaterMark
  • Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors (APHC)
  • Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE) Approved Contractor Persons
  • Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers’ Federation (SNIPEF) Water Regulations Approved Contractors’ Scheme

WaterSafe recognises qualified professional plumbers who are employed by a business, which is a member of one or more Approved Contractors’ Schemes. It is operated by and unites the above six existing Approved Contractors’ Schemes bringing them under one umbrella brand. Its purpose is to provide a new nationwide hub and online search facility for approved plumbing businesses.

The six existing Approved Contractors’ Schemes will continue to operate as they do now and like their members, each Scheme will benefit from the increased web presence and promotion offered by WaterSafe. 

Membership is free to existing Approved Contractors’ Scheme registered businesses. If you are a plumber and want more information on joining WIAPS and WaterSafe look at the ‘Get Approved’ section.

What is a ‘work completed’ certificate?

The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations and Scottish Water Byelaws require Approved Contractors – more commonly known as an Approved Plumber – to issue a signed certificate to the person who commissioned the work. In some cases they will also have to provide a copy to the water supplier if the work is notifiable under Regulation or Byelaw 5 notification. It must also state whether the work complies with the regulations or byelaws. 

These certificates are more commonly known as ‘Work Completed’ certificates. They provide a vital protection to property owners who are challenged by water suppliers when enforcing the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations and Scottish Water Byelaws. 

This is because it is a legal defence - under the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations and Scottish Water Byelaws - to prove that the work was undertaken by or under the direction of an Approved Plumber.

Is WIAPS just about approving plumbers?

No – Not only does WIAPS approve plumbing installers, we also approve people for carrying out certain types of specialist work, which are referred to as Sectored Installers. Some of the areas where we have approved installers are

  • Approved Groundworker - can carry out repairs or install underground pipe outside of properties
  • Approved Catering Equipment Installers – can carry out commercial catering equipment installations
  • Approved Water Cooler Installer – can carry out repairs and installations to water cooling equipment

All of the WIAPS approved installers groups are recognised by all water suppliers in the UK.

Do I have to use a wiaps/WaterSafe plumber?

No - The law only requires that any work carried out must comply with the requirements set out in the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations and Scottish Water Byelaws. However it is in your best interests to use properly qualified installers as there are additional benefits.

If you are doing the work yourself make sure you know the requirements, not only will the fittings have to be suitable and appropriately installed, in some cases you may also have to notify your local water supplier in advance before carrying out the work.


What does a plumber need to become wiaps approved?

Anyone who wants to become a WIAPS Approved Plumber or a Sectored Installer, must be properly qualified:

  • hold a recognised qualification to carry out the type work they are undertaking;
  • hold a recognised Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations and Scottish Water Byelaws qualification
In addition the company that employs the installer must also hold appropriate insurance. This also applies to sole traders. 

If you are a plumber look at the ‘Get Approved’ section for more information. ‘Get Approved'

What are the benefits of using an approved plumber?

The benefits of using a WIAPS Approved Plumber are that it makes any installation process more straight forward for customers. It should provide peace-of-mind in knowing that the plumbing work in their home or business premises meets the legal requirements and there will be reduced risk of contamination to their water supply.

In addition, some work carried out by the approved plumbers can be carried out without the need to notify the water supplier in advance. For most types of plumbing work, plumbers have a legal duty to notify the water supplier before they start work and this can lead to delays.

To ensure consumers are properly protected an Approved Plumber will issue a ‘work completed’ certificate for their work. This provides a defence for property owners who are challenged by water supplier’s when enforcing the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations and Scottish Water Byelaws.

If you are a plumber look at the ‘Get Approved’ section

What happens if something goes wrong with the installation?

If something goes wrong, a WIAPS Approved Plumber will be required to put right any work which contravenes the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations and Scottish Water Byelaws. Each WIAPS Approved Plumbers’ business is also required to hold public liability insurance of at least £2m. Without this cover, plumbing businesses cannot become a member of WIAPS.

There are also complaints procedures in place with a set protocol for customer redress and dealing with disputes. This complaints process seeks to address any shortfall in technical compliance but will not cover other complaints such as about the price charged.


What is the difference between Approved Contractors and Approved Plumbers?

An Approved Contractor is a type of competent person defined in the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations and Scottish Water Byelaws. These are more formally known as Approved Contractors.

An Approved Plumber is one type of Approved Contractor. Approved Plumbers can issue certificates of compliance for all types of plumbing work with a premises. Other types of Approved Contractors have limited scopes, so can only issue certificates of compliance for specific types of work.

Including WIAPS, there are seven Approved Contractor Persons’ Schemes operating across the UK and for ease of recognition for consumers they are often referred to as Approved Plumbers. All seven UK schemes are essentially the same as they have the same entrance criteria and are recognised by all of the UK water suppliers.


Why are you introducing fees for sector businesses?

Most membership fees have been fully funded by water companies since the scheme was set up in 2000. To be able to introduce new benefits such as online renewals and to make the scheme financially sustainable WIAPS has decided to introduce new annual fees to approved businesses . This means some of the costs to administer the scheme will be shared with approved WIAPS businesses.

Water companies will continue to provide funding for WIAPS, but sector businesses will be asked to contribute to the running costs of the scheme.

What if we don't pay the annual fee?

Unfortunately, your business will not be able to renew its membership with WIAPS.

This means your business will lose the benefits of membership, including no longer advertised as being members of WIAPS and no longer being listed on the WaterSafe website.

Individuals will no longer hold approved contractor status and may no longer self-certify works as compliant with Water Regulations, which may result in slower connections and/or further inspections of work. Notification will be required for all work listed in the Table of Regulations 5.

You should remove any WIAPS and/or WaterSafe logos you may be using from any literature, vehicles, websites and anywhere else you may be using them. You should return any unused Work Completed Certificates and individual members ID cards. The serial numbers have been allocated to individual members and will not be accepted by Water Companies. Please return ID cards and any unused certificates to:

WIAPS, 13 Willow Road, Pen y Fan Industrial Estate, Crumlin, Gwent, NP11 4EG

Re-applying for membership of the scheme is possible. Re-entry to the scheme will be subject to a new application for each individual, meeting the schemes requirements at the time of submitting an application which will require a new induction or membership audit.

Why are you not charging plumbing businesses?

The costs to administer sector businesses membership is more expensive than plumbing businesses for WIAPS. We feel its fairer that these businesses share and contribute to administration costs. Water companies will still be supporting all membership categories through annual subscriptions to WIAPS.

Sector approved contractors also have lower qualification requirements* to join the scheme and tend to get more benefits by having approved status.

*​ when compared to Approved Plumbers who typically study for at least 2 years to gain a level 2 plumbing qualification, in addition to their water fittings qualification.

When will my business be asked to pay?

A new annual fee of £78 plus VAT will apply when sector businesses apply for membership or when these businesses renew their membership starting from 1st April 2024.

Your business membership normally expires one month after your businesses' public liability insurance expires.

Will my business have to pay?

Any business that employs sector workers will need to pay to when they apply for membership or when they renew membership. Those classed as sectors are:

  • External services installers, sometimes called Water Supply Pipe Installers or groundworkers
  • Catering Installers
  • Point of use installers
  • RPZ valve testers

If your business only has approved plumbers, you will not have to pay a renewal fee. However, if your business has approved plumbers registered and at least one approved sector worker from the list above, an annual fee will apply


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