Water supply, meters and leak reporting guides
Start by identifying the affected supply, the water provider and what has actually been observed. These guides connect official reporting and supplier advice with the private pipework investigations and repairs a property may need.
37 guides
Articles and fault guides
A water-quality notice: what about filters and appliances?
Follow the exact water-quality notice before using filters or appliances. Distinguish different restrictions and plan an appropriate return to normal use.
Read thisBrown water after street works: supplier advice or plumbing fault?
Report brown tap water after network work with outlet and timing details. Use supplier quality advice before deciding whether private pipes need repair.
Read thisCloudy tap water: air bubbles or persistent particles?
Describe cloudy tap water, compare affected outlets and follow supplier advice. Know when changes need water-quality or private plumbing assessment.
Read thisOnly the hot water looks discoloured: planning the investigation
Compare hot and cold outlet symptoms before replacing equipment. Plan a competent inspection of the private hot-water route using supplier findings.
Read thisDrinking-water concerns after a property has stood empty
Plan plumbing return to use after a long vacancy. Review supply arrangements, treatment equipment and quality concerns without a universal flushing recipe.
Read thisGarden hose backflow: when the tap arrangement needs review
Assess hose use and backflow protection before changing an outdoor tap. Distinguish watering from ponds, chemicals and other higher-risk connections.
Read thisA higher water bill: estimate, tariff change or more water?
Check reading dates, estimates, tariff changes and household use before assuming a higher bill means a hidden leak. Know when plumbing investigation helps.
Read thisBefore fitting a mains booster: supplier notification and design
Check supplier notification and the supply design before fitting a mains booster. Distinguish a suitable proposal from an ordinary shower-pump replacement.
Read thisMoving a water meter for renovation: supplier and plumber roles
Plan meter relocation with the supplier before changing kitchen or utility pipework. Agree the survey, private work, access and installation sequence.
Read thisNo water in one flat: supplier, managing agent or plumber?
Route a single-flat water loss through the supplier, building manager and plumber. Compare affected outlets, communal access and supply findings.
Read thisThe outside stop valve is broken: planning private repairs
Arrange supplier help when an outside valve is broken or inaccessible. Plan private plumbing work without forcing public equipment or guessing isolation.
Read thisPreparing your home for a planned water interruption
Read a planned water-supply notice, organise household needs and know appliance limits. Keep supplier instructions and private plumbing work separate.
Read thisWater outages and extra support: planning with your supplier
Plan water-outage support with your supplier’s Priority Services Register. Keep household needs, contact details and private plumbing repairs separate.
Read thisThames Water leak reporting: official routes and private repairs
Find the official Thames Water leak-reporting route, describe a street leak safely and understand when private plumbing work at your property is relevant.
Read thisSeparating a shared water supply: decisions before applying
Plan a separate water connection with the supplier, neighbours and plumber. Understand retained pipes, permissions, route choices and the changeover scope.
Read thisShared meter or private submeter: what does each measure?
Understand shared main meters and private submeters in flats. Map what each reading covers before attributing unexplained use or arranging investigation.
Read thisYour stop tap also affects a neighbour: what needs mapping?
Investigate an shared water isolation point. Map the private branches, agree access and protect neighbours’ supplies before planning alterations.
Read thisWater tastes different after new plumbing: what to report
Report a new water taste after plumbing work with outlet patterns and product details. Separate supplier quality advice from private installation checks.
Read thisTemporary water for building work: approved supply options
Plan water for construction through an approved supply. Clarify supplier permissions, private distribution and safe removal after the works.
Read thisWhat to do after a water-company leak notice
Respond to a water-company leak notice with the right evidence, contacts and repair plan. Check its deadline, pipe responsibility and completion evidence.
Read thisBefore backfilling a new water connection: agree the inspection
Coordinate supplier acceptance before covering new pipework. Distinguish installer testing, required evidence and the point when reinstatement can proceed.
Read thisWater in a meter chamber: what should you report?
Report water around a meter without assuming it is leaking. Understand safe observations, supplier checks and when private pipe investigation is relevant.
Read thisEvidence for a water-company leak-allowance application
Prepare evidence for a water-company leak allowance: repair records, dates and meter readings. Compare provider conditions without assuming a bill credit.
Read thisThe leak is repaired but the supplier case is still open
Resolve a supplier leak case still open after private repairs. Match references, completion evidence and current readings without assuming another leak.
Read thisA meter cannot be fitted: which plumbing changes are relevant?
Review a failed meter survey, identify the physical restriction and compare private alterations with supplier charging options before commissioning work.
Read thisAfter a meter replacement: checking the reading handover
Understand old and new meter readings after an exchange. Check dates, serial numbers and bill periods before treating a change as evidence of a leak.
Read thisYour meter number does not match the bill: what next?
Check a water-meter serial mismatch safely, gather account evidence and ask the supplier to verify allocation before assuming a leak or billing error.
Read thisCannot safely read your water meter? Arrange the right help
Arrange help with an inaccessible or unreadable meter. Keep bill and leak enquiries moving without lifting unsafe covers or disturbing supplier equipment.
Read thisThe street supply is restored but your taps still do not run
The supplier says water is restored but your taps remain dry. Note affected outlets and incident details, then clarify the private or shared issue.
Read thisGood pressure at the boundary but poor flow indoors
Use supplier boundary findings to plan a focused indoor investigation. Separate pressure, flow and private restrictions before approving pipework changes.
Read thisWater pressure drops at busy times: evidence to collect
Record morning or evening supply changes without guessing the cause. Compare household demand, supplier information and private pipework evidence.
Read thisWater softener or filter: keeping the drinking-water route clear
Identify treated and untreated routes before changing a kitchen. Plan softener or filter connections, maintenance access and the drinking-water outlet.
Read thisA water-quality sampling visit: what information should you have?
Prepare for an official water-quality visit with safe access, outlet details and plumbing records. Distinguish supplier sampling from private repair work.
Read thisWhy Thames Water may handle sewage but not your tap water
Identify your tap-water supplier and sewerage provider before reporting a fault. Understand split bills, supplier checks and private plumbing boundaries.
Read thisWho is responsible for a leaking water supply pipe?
Find who to contact about a leaking water supply pipe, including shared supplies, private routes and internal plumbing, before arranging repair work.
Read thisWill an extra bathroom need a water-supply upgrade?
Assess bathroom demand before choosing fittings. Compare supplier capacity, private pipework and hot-water performance before upgrading the connection.
Read thisWhich plumbing alterations need water-company notification?
Screen planned plumbing work for water-company notification before installation. Separate supplier consent, building control and contractor work records.
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