Water Supply at Events

If you are hosting a large event you must have a wholesome water supply free from bacteria, parasites and chemical contamination for drinking, food preparation and personal hygiene.

For larger events, a water safety plan may be necessary.

Failure to ensure that the water supply is safe may in some circumstances prevent your event from going ahead if we consider there to be a significant risk to the public. All water supplies should be installed with due regard for water safety following the code of practice for temporary water supplies.

Using mains water at events

Providing mains water to a third party eg food traders constitutes a Private Distribution System under the Private Water Supplies Regulations 2009.  As the event organiser you are responsible for any deterioration in the quality of the water supplied from the water main to the final consumer.

• You are required under the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 2016 to notify Southern Water of your intention to use a mains water supply, even if it is only a temporary arrangement.
• You may need to consider if water treatment is required to supplement the residual chlorine levels of the mains water to ensure that the water remains safe while being stored and distributed around the site.
• The supply network must be clearly mapped and provided to us detailing all pipelines, tanks, pressure breaks, treatment systems if applicable and taps etc.
• To demonstrate that the supply is safe, the water will need to be sampled prior to the event.
• You must have an emergency water plan in place detailing how you would provide an alternative water supply in the event of loss of supply or contamination of the supply.

Using water stored in tanks at events

Water in tanks includes water stored or distributed from any mobile or static water tanks (eg pillow tanks) and water bowsers.  As the event organiser you will be responsible for any deterioration in the quality of the water supplied.

• To demonstrate that the supply is safe, the water will need to be sampled prior to the event
• Tanks must be cleaned before use and before refilling
• Only fill tanks with water from a known source, preferably a mains water supply
• If tanker is emptied within 48hrs of deployment, sampling is not required
• If the tanker is still in use after 48hrs further sampling will be required to ensure the water remains safe to drink
• The supply network must be clearly mapped and provided to the local authority detailing all pipelines, tanks, pressure breaks, treatment systems if applicable and taps etc
• You must have an emergency water plan in place detailing how you would provide an alternative water supply in the event of loss of supply or contamination of the supply

Using private water supplies at events

If you plan to use a private water supply such as a spring, well, borehole the supply must be registered with Dover District Council.

The water must be treated before drinking eg UV or Chlorination etc and comply with the Private Water Supplies Regulations 2009.

To demonstrate that the supply is safe clean drinking water, the supply will need to be sampled prior to the event.

The supply network must be clearly mapped and provided detailing all pipelines, tanks, pressure breaks, treatment systems if applicable and taps etc.

The supply must be risk assessed in accordance with the Private Water Supplies Regulations 2009. 

You must have an emergency water plan in place detailing how you would provide an alternative water supply in the event of loss of supply or contamination of the supply, or in the event of expected warm, dry weather, when demand for drinking water will be at its greatest.