Guide Private Water Supplies

Show all parts of this guide

10. Top 10 Tips for Maintaining a Wholesome Private Water Supply

East Devon has over 1200 private water supplies across the whole district. We have put together a list of top tips for managing your supply easily and effectively. The most common water quality issues within the district are bacterial (E.coli), an acidic pH, nutrients such as nitrates and the naturally occurring metal – arsenic.

  1. Check the source/storage tanks on a regular basis, especially after extreme weather, to ensure that any chambers are sealed and in good repair. Vegetation should be 150mm below the apron of the chamber.
  2. It is recommended to have a UV disinfection unit installed to cover all taps in the property, to protect all consumers from any potential bacteria that could be in the water.
  3. Ensure all water treatments are serviced as per the manufacturer’s instructions by a reputable water engineer.
  4. Following servicing of the treatment system, a chlorinated flush through of the network by a water engineer is recommended.
  5. Ensure that any cartridge filters are monitored for particulate build up and changed accordingly particularly when they change colour. The role of these filters is to protect the UV unit, in order for the UV to work effectively in all weather extremes.
  6. Acidic pH is common in East Devon. Acidic water will leach metal from the pipework within the distribution network. It is recommended to investigate any metal pipework that has the potential to be corroded by the water.
  7. Artificial fertiliser or slurry spreading should be kept to a minimum of 50m from the source and in accordance with EA guidance. This should be increased depending on the location and catchment of the source.
  8. Any livestock or wildlife should be prevented from accessing the source/storage reservoirs with sealed chamber lids and stock proof fencing.
  9. Any water storage tanks (pre or post treatment) require a cleaning schedule to remove any build-up of particulates that could be the perfect environment to harbour bacteria.
  10. Arsenic is found in the water in specific areas in East Devon usually around East Hill; and the surrounding villages of Honiton. Arsenic in water is a risk to health, especially to pregnant mothers and young children. We can conduct testing to assess the levels of arsenic in your drinking water. Treatment systems should include arsenic removal.