Case Environmental
Water Supply Consultancy
Private water supplies take many forms, from direct surface water abstractions to modern boreholes. Past investigations and projects have included the following as in-use water supplies: stream/rivers, infiltration wells, field drainage, rain water, abandoned mine workings, springs, wells, boreholes and sea water!
An investigation includes looking at the source, related infrastructure and treatment in terms of influence on water quality and risk. Samples for microbiological and chemical testing are normally collected and analysed in a UKAS certified laboratory. Reports detail the necessary improvements that could be made to reduce the risk and make the water wholesome. Where alternative supplies might be considered, the options and likely costs are provided for you to review.
Past investigations have also included Asset Condition Surveys, feasibility studies, legal disputes/litigation advice, contamination assessments, house purchasing, site development, infrastructure improvement and both water and money saving measures.
We have delivered many water projects, from rehabilitation of domestic private water supplies to installation of new large estate supplies.
Buying a house with a private water supply?
Many rural properties are not connected to the mains water supply and therefore rely on a private raw water supply such as a spring, well or borehole. The concept of a private water supply may sound attractive but often the supply is in a poor or dangerous condition and the cost to improve it can be significant. Many private supplies investigated by Case Environmental (as part of a prospective property purchase/sale) have had one or more significant problems identified. This includes poorly protected structures, failing water quality, close proximity to foul assets (sewerage/farm wastes/fuel/chemical stores), the supply of third parties, lack of maintenance or sustained water shortages.
For those used to being supplied by mains water the prospect of a private supply can seem daunting. When provided correctly the supply can be reliable, wholesome and economic. However, a poor quality or an unreliable supply can significantly reduce the value of the property, present a health risk and in some cases make it difficult to get a mortgage.
Case Environmental has provided many reports on private water supplies. We can supply a detailed report on such supplies along with recommended remedial works, likely costs and other considerations. This can include locating the position of the nearest public water mains and providing an estimate of the work required to make a mains connection. We can also provide reports for mortgage companies lending on houses with private water supplies.
The above picture shows a private water supply in very poor condition - Case Environmental has seen many supplies in similar and worse condition yet be used every day for potable supply; would you drink water from this?!
Please download our free-to-use private water supply checklist
Private Water Supply Checklist 2017.pdf
Adobe Acrobat document [548.7 KB]
Locations covered by Case Environmental include (but are not limited to);
England
Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Bristol, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Cheshire, City of London, Cornwall, Cumbria, Derbyshire, Devon, Dorset, County Durham, East Riding of Yorkshire, East Sussex, Essex, Gloucestershire, Greater London, Greater Manchester, Hampshire, Herefordshire, Hertfordshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Lancashire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Merseyside, Norfolk, North Yorkshire, Northamptonshire, Northumberland, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Rutland, Shropshire, Somerset, South Yorkshire, Staffordshire, Suffolk, Surrey, Tyne and Wear, Warwickshire, West Midlands, West Sussex, West Yorkshire, Wiltshire, Worcestershire, Bath, Birmingham, Bradford, Brighton & Hove, Bristol, Carlisle, Cambridge, Canterbury, Chester, Chichester, Coventry, Derby, Durham, Ely, Exeter, Gloucester, Hereford, Kingston-upon-Hull, Lancaster, Leeds, Leicester, Lichfield, Lincoln, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Norwich, Nottingham, Oxford, Peterborough, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Preston, Ripon, Salford, Salisbury, Sheffield, Southampton, St Albans, Stoke-on-Trent, Sunderland, Truro, Wakefield, Wells, Westminster, Winchester, Wolverhampton, Worcester and York.
Wales
Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd, Isle of Anglesey, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Pembrokeshire, Powys, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Swansea, Torfaen, Vale of Glamorgan, Wrexham, Bangor, Cardiff, Newport, St Davids and Swansea.
Scotland
Ayrshire, Dumfries and Galloway, Edinburgh and The Lothians, Glasgow and Clyde Valley and The Borders.
Print 
Share