Watford Borough Council

Environmental Services has a role in ensuring that water quality is maintained and that water used for drinking and food production is safe.

• Private water supplies: for those who extract their private water supply from boreholes
• Bathing waters: to include swimming pools at leisure centres, jacuzzis and hydrotherapy pools
• Mains water: to include manufacturers of food and drink as well as working with Veolia Water to ensure the domestic water supply is safe.

Private water supplies

The Private Water Supplies Regulations require local authorities to identify and assess any water that is used for domestic consumption that does not come from a mains supply. Any 'private distribution network' where water is distributed onwards from the mains supply, for example in some static caravan sites and some agricultural establishments.

Bathing waters

This includes swimming pools, jacuzzis, paddling pools etc.

Environmental Services has an enforcement role in ensuring that water at private leisure facilities is the correct quality. The responsibility for ensuring water quality in council run facilities lies with Leisure and Community Services at Watford Borough Council. If you have concerns about a council run facility, please contact this service. If your concerns are about a privately run facility, please contact Environmental Services on 01923 278503 or envhealth@watford.gov.uk

The quality of water is also important in air conditioning systems and cooling towers.

Mains water supply

We work to ensure the quality of the mains water in our food manufacturers to include breweries and other food industries. Officers work with Veolia Water, who provide mains water to domestic and commercial properties in Watford, to monitor the quality of the supply.

If you believe that you have a problem with your mains water, contact Veolia Water on 0845 782 3333 and explain your concerns to them. They should be able to arrange to test your water if necessary. The council does not test water, but may be able to provide advice if you are not able to resolve the issue with Veolia Water.

In addition, the Drinking Water Inspectorate, which is the national body for ensuring the quality of water, provide an annual publication titled 'How Good is Your Drinking Water?'