Commissioning of New Water Systems

 In order to safeguard water quality and public health it is a requirement that many new private water supply pipes are commissioned before they are connected to mains water services.

Commissioning involves flushing, swabbing and disinfection or a combination of these.

1. This is a Legal Requirement under the Water Regulations 2000.
2. Most if not all Water Companies will require evidence that this has been properly carried out before they will make or allow a new mains connection.
3. The British Standard which deals with flushing and disinfection of water services (among other things) is BS6700.

These three points are expanded on below, so if you want to learn more please read on. Or skip this and jump to How Nemco can Help. Or call us free on 0800 074 1237 to discuss in person or arrange an appointment or a quote.

Legal Requirement

The Water Regulations 2000 specifies that after testing and flushing, systems should be disinfected in the following instances.

1. New installations (except private dwellings occupied by a single family)
2. Major extensions or alterations (exception as above)
3. Underground pipe work (except localised repairs or insertion of junctions)
4. Where it is suspected that contamination may have occurred (e.g. by sewage, animals or physical entry of personnel for interior inspection, painting or repairs)
5. Where a system has not been in regular use and not regularly flushed (but see recommended procedure for mothballing water systems)

You can order a copy of the Water regulations Guide ISBN 0-9539708-0-9 from the Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS). http://wras.co.uk

The guide further details the disinfection procedure and chemical variants.

Water Companies

In addition to complying with the Water Regulations, Water Companies often have additional rules and procedures which they require to be fulfilled within the areas they supply. These can differ slightly from area to area in terms of the combination of flushing, swabbing and disinfection for particular pipe diameter and lengths. Also the maximum time between bacteriological sampling and required connection date may differ slightly between Water Companies. Often The Water Company may require the disinfection to have been carried out by an approved Contractor.

British Standard

BS6700:2006 details the disinfection procedure and other safety requirements.
The standard can be purchased from the British Standards Institute http://bsigroup.com

BS EN 2006 parts 1 – 5 will eventually replace BS6700. Parts 1 to 3 are currently available.

Mothballing and Re – commissioning of Buildings

SFG30 is a guide to good practice which includes details of water systems. This is available from the Heating and Ventilating Contractors’ Association. http://hvca.org.uk

How Can Nemco Help?

Nemco have experience and a proven track record of carrying out disinfections to many different water systems both large and small, mains injection or storage fed.

We are able to offer a variety of disinfection chemicals and methods to best suit the individual site requirements.

Nemco only use UKAS accredited laboratories for analysis of our chemical and bacteriological samples.

All Nemco Water Hygiene Engineers are fully trained to carry out this type of work in accordance with all of the above standards and requirements and hold the National Water Hygiene Card (EUSR) required when working on public and potable water supplies http://eusr.co.uk

We regularly liaise with water companies regarding new connection requirements and have established communication channels.

In addition to being Legionella Control Association (LCA), Construction Line, and Construction Health and Safety Scheme (CHAS) members, Nemco are also members of the British Standards Institute so you can be confident that the work will comply with current guidelines and best practice.

You can contact Nemco free on 0800 074 1237 to discuss in person or arrange an appointment or a quote. Or you can contact us by e-mail or post via the contact us section.