Private water supplies can affect your health, bills and the safety of your home. If you rent in Wales and your property uses a private supply such as a well, spring or shared scheme, you have rights to safe drinking water, tests and repairs. This guide explains who must test and maintain the supply, when to report faults to your landlord or local authority, what official forms to use, and how to raise a case with the First-tier Tribunal if problems remain. It is written for tenants in clear language with practical steps and evidence tips to help you resolve water problems without delay.
Who is responsible for a private water supply?
Responsibility depends on the tenancy agreement and the nature of the supply. Many landlords are responsible for maintaining pipework inside the property and ensuring tenants have safe drinking water; owners of the supply or those who control it may have duties under the Private Water Supplies (Wales) Regulations 2017.[1] Local authorities carry out risk assessments, sampling and enforcement where the Regulations apply.
Testing, safety and charges
Local authorities in Wales test private supplies where there is a risk to health and can require improvements. They may charge for routine sampling under the Regulations; however, if contamination creates a hazard they can take enforcement action without delay. If a landlord arranges testing or a contractor visit, ask for written confirmation of the sample result and any charges.
What to do if your water is unsafe
- Contact your landlord immediately and say what the problem is and when it started.
- Collect evidence: take dated photos, keep bottles of water for testing and save messages or emails from your landlord.
- Ask your local authority to sample the supply if you believe there is a contamination risk; request a written outcome.
- If the landlord does not act, consider applying to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) for an order requiring repairs or a remedy.
Official forms and when to use them
Below are the main official resources and forms tenants may need. For each, a practical example shows when to use the form.
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) application (Residential property) — use this to ask the tribunal to order repairs or remedies when a landlord refuses to fix an unsafe supply; for example, if repeated requests and local authority action have not resolved contamination issues.[2]
- Private Water Supplies (Wales) Regulations 2017 (legislation) — these Regulations set local authority powers to test, charge and require improvements; reference them when asking your council to act or to understand enforcement timelines.[1]
- Local authority private water supply guidance and sampling arrangements — contact your council’s environmental health team to ask for the sampling process and any local forms or charge schedules; for example, request a sample if water smells or tastes unusual.[3]
If you use the tribunal application, include copies of test results, communications with your landlord and any costs you have incurred. The tribunal will expect clear evidence of attempts to resolve the problem first.
Legal background
Tenants’ rights to repairs and habitability are also influenced by national housing law such as the Housing Act 1988 and the Rent Act 1977 for certain tenancy types; these set out general landlord and tenant obligations alongside specific public health rules. If your tenancy agreement places responsibility for the supply on the landlord, these statutes and the Regulations together define enforcement paths.
FAQ
- Can my landlord be forced to pay for repairs to a private supply?
- Yes, if the tenancy agreement or the nature of the defect (for example, internal plumbing or water contamination affecting habitability) makes the landlord responsible, the landlord may be required to repair the supply or provide an alternative; you can ask the local authority to enforce the Regulations or apply to the tribunal.[1]
- Who pays for testing of my private water supply?
- Local authorities may charge for routine sampling under the Regulations, but where a supply poses an immediate health risk the council will act and enforcement can require the responsible person to pay for necessary remedial work.[1]
- What if my landlord ignores requests to fix contaminated water?
- Keep written records, contact your local environmental health team to request sampling and, if needed, apply to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) for an order requiring repairs or alternative arrangements. Evidence of your attempts to resolve the issue strengthens any tribunal application.[2]
How-To
- Contact your landlord in writing and describe the problem, asking for tests or remedial work and a date for action.
- Gather evidence: take photos, keep empty sample bottles, save messages and note dates and times of events and health symptoms.
- Report to your local authority’s environmental health team and ask for sampling and a written report under the Private Water Supplies (Wales) Regulations.
- If there is no satisfactory action, apply to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) with copies of evidence and any local authority findings.
Help and Support / Resources
- Private Water Supplies (Wales) Regulations 2017
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) - residential property forms and guidance
- Private water supplies: guidance for local authorities in Wales
