What is the drinking water legislation in the UK that should be followed on construction sites?

Construction sites should follow several pieces of legislation which are in place to protect worker wellbeing, public health and environmental health.

The EU’s Drinking Water Directive (Council Directive 98/83/EC) was first implemented in the UK in 1982 to establish consistent standards for drinking water quality, including provision for workers in remote or temporary locations. Following the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union, this legislation no longer applies. However, its principles continue to influence current domestic regulations. On construction sites, the requirement to provide safe, compliant drinking water is now governed by UK health and safety legislation and related regulatory frameworks such as the Water Industry Act 1991 and Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015) which is regulated by The Health and Safety Executive.

CDM 2015

This legislation specifies that all construction sites in the UK must provide an adequate supply of wholesome drinking water. This water must be readily accessible at appropriate locations across the site. Each drinking water point must be clearly marked with an appropriate sign to indicate that it is safe for consumption.

In addition, suitable drinking vessels – such as disposable or reusable cups – must be provided unless the water is supplied in a manner that allows workers to drink tap water directly from a jet without the need for a container. These measures apply to all construction sites regardless of size or duration and help maintain the health and welfare of workers on site.

Water Industry Act 1991

The Water Industry Act 1991 sets out the regulatory framework for water supply and wastewater services in England and Wales. It places a legal duty on water undertakers to supply water that is safe and fit for human consumption. As part of this framework, operators are required to obtain the relevant abstraction and discharge licences for water use and wastewater disposal.

This act also introduces strict monitoring and reporting obligations in place to minimise contamination of local ecosystems and detriment to the wider environment. Water suppliers must routinely test water quality and report results to the appropriate authorities to demonstrate compliance with statutory standards. This supports transparency and accountability across the sector.

Additionally, the act prohibits water companies from disconnecting domestic premises from the public supply due to non-payment. This safeguard helps protect public health and welfare by maintaining uninterrupted access to drinking water for residential users.

What Is the Water Protection Act UK 2025?

The Water (Special Measures) Act 2025, which received Royal Assent on 24 February 2025, sets out a framework to improve regulation and accountability across the water sector. It introduces new powers to water regulators which aim to reduce the pollution into water bodies by commercial operations. These new rules aim to:

• Prevent the awarding of bonuses to executives whose companies discharge pollution into waterways
• Pursue criminal proceedings against repeat offenders
• Impose automatic and stringent penalties for regulatory breaches
• Require monitoring of all sewage discharge points

In support of enforcement, the act also includes provisions to:

• Allow courts to impose custodial sentences where obstruction of regulatory investigations has occurred
• Enable these offences to be tried in the Crown Court
• Hold executives and directors criminally liable when offences take place with their involvement or through neglect

Stay compliant with drinking water laws by speaking to Universal Tankers about your drinking water obligations. We deliver potable water that meets all relevant UK regulations.

What is the difference between wholesome water and non-potable water?

Wholesome water is defined as clean drinking water that complies with the quality standards specified in Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations and is monitored by the DWI. It is suitable for human consumption and supports hygiene-related tasks such as drinking, food preparation, personal washing, and handwashing on construction and industrial sites. Wholesome water must be free from substances and organisms that could affect human health and undergoes chemical treatment to remove these contaminants. Its use is often determined as part of a site-wide risk assessment, particularly where there is direct contact with staff or the public.

Non-potable water, by contrast, has not been treated to meet drinking water standards and is not suitable for consumption or hygiene purposes. It may contain contaminants, including microorganisms or particles from materials such as soil, making it unsuitable for any application involving human contact. However, non-potable water is widely used for site operations where treatment is not required. These uses include dust suppression, soil compaction, equipment washing, and other industrial processes. It offers a practical and cost-effective alternative for non-consumption applications.

The benefits of drinking water deliveries from Universal Tankers

Universal Tankers provides reliable bulk deliveries of drinking water - also known as potable water - across a wide range of sectors, including construction, events, and agriculture. All supplied water complies with the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations and DWI guidelines. It is suitable for drinking, as well as acceptable for use in sanitisation systems within portable accommodation and welfare facilities.

Experienced, skilled staff

With over 30 years in the industry, we've built extensive expertise in bulk water delivery and wastewater disposal and are well-trusted by customers across the country. Our staff are trained to manage complex logistics and ensure compliance with relevant standards at every stage of delivery.

Flexible drinking water delivery schedules

Universal Tankers offers both scheduled and emergency services, tailored to your requirements. Whether regular supply is needed or a rapid response is required, we guarantee next-day delivery across England and Scotland.

Nationwide, strategically located depots

Operating from 20 depots across England and Scotland, Universal Tankers offers wide-reaching coverage and efficient service delivery. We lead the way in innovation with a modern fleet that includes the Univore, which is engineered to access hard-to-reach locations and enables dependable service in even the remotest areas of the country.