Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy has published a consultation document on draft legislation that will safeguard the quality of drinking water in Northern Ireland, and assist in improving standards across the plumbing industry.



The proposed regulations will set out standards for water pipes, fittings and apparatus using water in order to prevent waste, misuse or contamination of water supplied by the partly public-owned NI Water.

The regulations will only apply to fittings connected to the public drinking water supply.



The proposed regulations will replace The Water Regulations (NI) 1991.

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Discussing the proposed Regulations, DRD Minister Conor Murphy said: "The proposed Regulations make provision for preventing contamination, waste, misuse, undue consumption and erroneous measurement of water supplied by NI Water.

"The Regulations protect against the use of defective water fittings, including those which pose a risk of contaminating drinking water. 



"These new Regulations aim to promote the use of water efficient products, and enhance consumer protection through the use of Approved Contractor Schemes.

"The integrity of the public water supply network will be enhanced by prescribing appropriate devices to prevent contaminated water from entering public supplies.



"The Regulations will give NI Water the authority to carry out inspections, measurements and tests on premises or water fittings and take away such samples as they consider necessary for the purposes of the Regulations," added Mr Murphy. 



The draft Regulations have been published for a sixteen-week consultation period, ending on 7 November 2008.

(PR/JM)