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Water supply testing

Public supplies

Yorkshire Water|  is generally responsible for the water in the supply pipes that form the public main. In the Walsden area a small number of properties with OL14  6T, 6U, 6X and 7U postcodes may receive their water from  United Utilities|. This public supply of water is also called 'treated', 'chlorinated', 'mains' and 'town' water. However some houses both inside and outside these zones are not served by Yorkshire Water or United Utilities but by private supplies.

Enquiries and complaints about Yorkshire Water

Yorkshire Water and United Utilities are generally in charge of the public supply of water. Reports on the quality of mains water in the different water supply zones can be read on the companies' web sites. Complaints about the quality or pressure of that water should first be made directly to the company.

Calderdale Council can deal with certain complaints but we will first check to see what Yorkshire Water has done. We may ask them to investigate before we take further action.

Property owners may be responsible for sections of pipe that connect their property to the main, as well as for internal plumbing fittings.  It may be that the quality of the water is affected by those; Calderdale Council may require the owner of a property to carry out work to resolve a problem.

'Spring' or 'private' supplies

About 2000 properties in Calderdale obtain water from local springs, wells, boreholes and streams. Some of them are within a Yorkshire Water or United Utilities WSZ (water supply zones).

The type of the land and the state of pipes and tanks through which the water flows can lead to contamination of the water. Some springs are contaminated throughout the year and some particularly so after a period of wet weather.  The quantity of water available can be affected by the weather.

Helpful advice on protecting spring water supplies from contamination can be found at:

• 'A Brief Guide to Drinking Water Safety Plans' is available to download from the Drinking Water Inspectorate at Guidance and codes of practice|
• Private Water Supplies|
• Private Water Supply|  (based on Scottish legislation; English law awaits revision comparable to Scottish law, but the technical advice about improvements remains appropriate).

The law usually requires a sufficient quantity of wholesome water to be available for drinking and sanitation needs for most situations. Often this must be from a conveniently located tap inside a building. This is so even though some people choose to drink bottled water. The responsibility for the water mainly rests with those who use that supply.

Calderdale tests water quality from some supplies on a periodic basis (determined by the use and size of the supply) and from others on request. Tests are usually carried out twice each month with results normally notified after 7-10 days.

For advice on the quality or sufficiency of spring water supplies, or to request a test (for which a charge may be made) contact Calderdale Council. We can also provide a list of people specialising in spring water treatment. They may also be found by consulting phone books in print or online for 'plumbers' and 'wellborers and sinkers'.

• Name:
• Commercial Team
• Address:
• Calderdale Council
  Northgate House
  Northgate
  Halifax HX1 1UN
• Email:
• environmental.health@calderdale.gov.uk
• Tel:
• 01422 392373
• Fax:
• 01422 392399.

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