In April 1999, the Environment Minister, Michael Meacher announced new regulations to help safeguard the quality of drinking water and ensure the introduction of efficiency measures in water use. These regulations are called The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999, and they came into force on the 1st July 1999.

The Fittings Regulations replace Water Byelaws in governing the prevention of waste, misuse, undue consumption, contamination and erroneous measurement of public water supplies in domestic and commercial plumbing installations and represent important protection for public health and the environment.

The Regulations are based on performance standards, eg British Standards or those European Standards being mandated under the construction Products Directive.

Copies of the Water Fittings Regulations (Statutory Instruments 1999 numbers 1148 & 1506) are available from the OPSI website at http://www.opsi.gov.uk/stat.htm , or can be purchased by phoning OPSI on 0870 600 5522.

The Regulations are enforced by water companies, and further advice should be sought from them or from the Water Regulations Advisory Scheme on 01495 248454 or from its website at www.wras.co.uk . The Scheme in partnership with the DETR has also produced the 'WATER REGULATIONS GUIDE' to provide more detailed explanation of the requirements. Copies are available from the Scheme.