Considering a house purchase equipped with a personal water source? Here's what you ought to be aware of
Article Title: Understanding Private Water Supplies in the UK: A Home Buyer's Guide
In England and Wales, approximately 1% of homes rely on private water supplies, independent of the public mains network [1]. These supplies can come from various sources such as wells, boreholes, springs, streams, rivers, lakes, reservoirs, springs, and canals [2].
Owning a property with a private water supply comes with unique responsibilities and considerations. Here's what you need to know:
Maintenance and Management
Each type of private water supply requires specific maintenance and management. Common requirements include regular inspections and testing of water quality, maintenance of the water source, upkeep of infrastructure, prompt repairs, and ensuring legal access rights [2].
- Wells and boreholes require inspection of well integrity, pump maintenance, water quality testing, and protection from surface contamination.
- Springs necessitate protection of the source area, regular water testing, and clearing vegetation and debris.
- Small streams and rainwater systems require upkeep of filtration and treatment systems, regular monitoring of water quality, and infrastructure maintenance.
Legal Aspects
It's essential to check if there are enforceable rights to use a private water supply system and appropriate obligations on the supplier to maintain the system. In some cases, a private water supply may need regular risk assessment and testing by the local authority [3].
Ownership and responsibility for these supplies usually lie with the landowner where the water source is located. However, in cases where the supply serves multiple properties or crosses boundaries, maintenance responsibilities may be shared or legally defined through agreements [2].
Registration and Safety
While registration is not always mandatory, it is encouraged to register private water supplies with local authorities for safety monitoring. This can help mitigate risks if the supply is not regularly tested [4].
Solicitor and Valuer Involvement
The valuer and solicitor must be satisfied with the water quality, regular testing, and maintenance of the private water supply. If the solicitor is not satisfied, the lender may place a retention until the issues are resolved [5].
Specialist Surveys and Lender Considerations
Commissioning a specialist additional survey is recommended when buying a property with a private water supply. Lenders may consider applications for mortgages on homes with private water supplies on a case-by-case basis [6].
Regional Differences
In Scotland, 3% of the population receives drinking water from private supplies, while in Northern Ireland, less than 1% of water comes from private supplies [2]. In England, an abstraction license is required for all water abstraction unless the amount taken is less than 20 cubic meters a day [7].
Safety First
Given the unique aspects of private water supplies, it's important to have a good solicitor who has experience handling such situations. Additionally, anyone considering using a private water supply must ensure they have the legal authority to take the water they need [8].
If the water comes from a borehole, arrangements for power cuts and accumulator storage should be considered [2]. If the water source and pipes for a private water supply are not on the land you are buying, you will need to ensure you are legally able to gain access for maintenance, inspection, and repair [9].
[1] UK Government - Private water supplies [2] Drinking Water Inspectorate - Private water supplies [3] Water UK - Private water supplies [4] Water Regulations Advisory Scheme - Private water supplies [5] Law Society - Private water supplies [6] Council of Mortgage Lenders - Private water supplies [7] Environment Agency - Abstraction licences in England [8] Northern Ireland Environment Agency - Private water supplies [9] Scottish Environment Protection Agency - Private water supplies
- Investing in a property with a private water supply in the UK requires understanding the unique costs and responsibilities associated with maintenance and management, legal aspects, registration, and specialist surveys.
- The specific type of private water supply can impact the level of maintenance and management needed, such as wells and boreholes requiring regular inspections, pump maintenance, and protection from surface contamination.
- Home buyers should ensure that they have the legal authority to use a private water supply system, check for enforceable rights, and be aware of potential lender considerations when financing such properties.
- It's advisable to involve a good solicitor who has experience with private water supplies, and on some occasions, commissioning a specialist survey may be necessary when buying a home.
- Regional differences exist in the UK concerning private water supplies; for example, Scotland has a higher percentage of homes relying on private water supplies compared to England and Wales, and the regulations for water abstraction may vary by region.
