A-Z of Services

Environmental Protection – Private Water Supplies

A private water supply is any water supply which is not provided by a water company (mains drinking water). They are mainly located in the more rural parts of the County Borough. Their source can be a borehole, a well, a spring, stream or river, a lake or pond. A single supply point may serve just one or several properties.

Different types of Private Water Supplies

Underground Sources (Boreholes, Springs, Wells)

These types of private water supplies draw their water from deep underground and are less likely to be contaminated with micro-organisms, though they may contain minerals and other chemicals. They are, however, susceptible to contamination at the surface extraction point where surface water may gather at or flow into the supply. Shallow wells may also be susceptible to contamination carried by surface water or activities on the land such as fertiliser spreading.

Surface sources (Rivers, Streams, Lakes)

These types of private water supply can be susceptible to surface based contamination and in particular micro-organisms especially during periods of heavy rainfall. Where water can run across the ground after heavy raining for example, it can collect contamination from various sources (e.g. from the soil, animal droppings) which can then deposited into the water source. Surface sources may also “dry up” during prolonged periods without rain.

Treatment

The drinking water from a mains supply goes through several intensive purifying processes at the treatment plant prior to reaching the consumers tap. This is often not possible with private water supplies, but there are several techniques that can be used to ensure a wholesome supply, such as filtration, Ultra-Violet (UV) sterilisation, etc.

Private water supplies can be contaminated with a range of both chemical and / or bacteriological parameters. Many of which are harmless but some can cause serious illness or reduce the effectiveness of any treatment processes. It may not be possible to tell if your water is contaminated by taste, looking at or smelling it.

Good water quality is essential to good health. Below is a list of some simple techniques to ensure your water’s wholesomeness:

Find out who is responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the supply, especially in terms of any treatment equipment.
Where is the water taken from and is anything necessary to protect this source?
How does it get into your property, do the pipes need maintaining?
Is the water treated? Is the equipment in good working order and regularly maintained?

All parts of the supply should be regularly inspected, including the catchments’ area. They should be checked to see that it has not been damaged, or for the presence of anything which may affect the water quality. Any problems should be rectified as soon as possible and if necessary, boil the water or use bottled water until the supply has been returned to usual.

Advice with regards to specific types of water catchments

Supplies from Surface Water (Streams, Rivers, Ponds, etc)

These are regarded as the more risky types of Private Water Supply, especially when located nearby livestock, as they can be affected by land based contaminants (e.g. from farming activity) being washed into the supply when it rains. If possible, rainwater runoff should be diverted away from the catchments’ area and it may also be advisable to build a fence around the supply to prevent animals from gaining access. A water treatment company will be able to advise on the best type of treatment depending on the land use around, or up river of the catchments’ area.

Supplies from underground sources (Wells, Boreholes, Springs, etc)

Are considered the safer option to get a private water supply. The catchments’ area should also be checked to prevent surface water from getting into your supply. A water treatment company will be able to advise on the best means of treatment, though they may require a water test to determine if any minerals are present.

If you supply water as part of business

You have a duty of care if you are a water supplier to others (e.g. camping site) and if you think your water may be unfit for consumption, you should arrange for testing as soon as possible and in the meantime advise your customers to boil their water prior to drinking or food preparation or advise them to use bottled water.

Checking Water Wholesomeness

Wrexham County Borough Council is able to check the quality of your Private Water Supply and you should contact us to discuss your requirements. We will also be able to advise you on testing frequency and any charges that may apply. We will also be able to advise you on what the results of the test on your water supply mean and what treatment types are available.

One thing to bear in mind when having your water supply tested is that the test refers to that point in time and water quality can change on a frequent basis depending on several environmental factors (e.g. type of supply, land use in surrounding area, the weather, etc). This should be taken into consideration when deciding whether to install treatment for your supply.

Should I Get My Supply Treated?

If you believe your water supply to be contaminated or that it may become contaminated, you can and should have water treatment installed. If you share your supply with other properties it is possible to have the treatment at the catchments’ area rather than in each house. There are a wide range of treatment options to fit your particular circumstances, which any treatment equipment supplier will be able to discuss with you, though they may require a test on the supply in order to provide accurate advice. You can contact us if you would like a list of treatment suppliers.

If you believe your water supply is contaminated with micro-organisms, you should boil your water prior to drinking or food preparation, until suitable treatment is installed.

You should also be aware that if you have lived at your property for many years you may have developed a level of immunity to some of the bacteriological contaminates in your supply and believe that treatment is unnecessary. This immunity may not be present in any visitors you may have, especially very young children.

Connecting to mains water

If you decide that you no longer wish to use your private water supply, you can contact your local water company about connecting to the mains supply. You may have to pay all the costs in doing so and you should discuss this with the water company.

Wrexham is mainly served by Dee Valley Water with some discreet areas in the south of the County Borough being supplied by Severn Trent Water, and a few properties in the east being supplied by United Utilities. Contact details for the companies are:

Dee Valley Water – (01978) 846946 or www.deevalleygroup.com (external link)
Severn Trent Water – 0800 783 4444 or www.stwater.co.uk (external link)
United Utilities – 0845 746 2222 or www.unitedutilities.co.uk (external link)

Types of Contamination

Micro-organisms (also known as bacteriological)

Bacteriological contamination arises mainly from animal droppings being washed into the water supply and is mainly found where the water supply is drawn from areas that have livestock or manure spreading in nearby fields, or up stream if drawn from a river. The risk is particularly high when it rains heavily as the rain water may drain off these fields into the catchments’ area. Another possible source is water draining from cess pits or septic tanks.

Anyone who drinks this contaminated water is at risk of infection which can result in a number of serious illnesses. The risk is especially high for people who are not use to your water. It is possible that if your pets drink the water they may become infected and some of the resultant infections may be transmitted from animals to humans.

The usual treatment techniques for micro-organisms are filtration for the larger contaminates followed by Ultra-Violet treatment to sterilise the water. In order to maintain its effectiveness, both of these would require regular maintenance.

Chemicals

There are a range of chemicals and metals that can be found in private water supplies which can be the result of various circumstances:

Chemicals used in farming or other land management areas, e.g. pesticides.
Chemicals (mainly minerals) occurring naturally in the ground, e.g. iron. These may affect the appearance and / or tastes of the water, but in minimal quantities are not considered harmful to health. However, these contaminates can reduce the effectiveness of treatment equipment.
Chemicals used in industrial or commercial processes, e.g. solvents.

A range of treatment equipment is available to deal with your particular circumstances and a water treatment company will be able to advise you on the best type of treatment.

If you are not sure, or concerned whether your water is affected by either micro-organisms or chemicals please contact us to discuss the issue or arrange a test.

One metal that may be present in your water of note is lead. The most likely cause of lead in water is from the houses plumbing. This can be either as a result of older lead pipes or holding tanks in your house or if you have copper pipes, they may have been joined by use of a lead based solder. Whereas there are treatment methods available to deal with lead it is often best to replace any lead plumbing in the house. Water that has been left to stand in lead pipes for long periods (for example overnight), should not be drunk. In these circumstances the tap should be run for approximately one minute to clear the pipes before taking the water to drink or cook. If you require any further advice or would like your water testing for lead please contact us.