A private distribution system is where a water company supplies water to the boundary of a premises and the person responsible for the premises supplies it to the occupiers of other buildings on the same site. This becomes a private water supply under the Private Water Supplies Regulations 2009.
Types of premises where this might occur would include:
- Campsites where water is distributed to individual units or stand pipes
- Business parks
- Industrial estates
- A college campus
Types of premises that are not included are as follows:
- Blocks of residential flats/ apartments whether owner occupied or tenanted
- Houses that have multiple occupancy
- A row of two or more houses (usually a terrace) supplied by a water undertaker from a single common supply pipe
This further distribution of water is known as a 'private distribution system' and the regulations introduce responsibilities for the person in charge of the distribution.
The Drinking Water Inspectorate produces guidance on private distribution systems.