Lewes District Council

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Environmental Health
Lewes District Council
Southover House
Southover Road
Lewes
East Sussex
BN7 1AB

Tel: 01273 484354
ehealth@lewes.gov.uk
Minicom 01273 484488

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Drinking Water

Advice on water contamination, the organisations responsible for its clean up and enforcement, and contact details to report an incident.

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Reporting An Incident

f you are concerned about the quality of your drinking water you should contact your water company in the first instance.


The Drinking Water Inspectorate has overall responsibility for assessing the quality of drinking water in England and Wales. For general water quality enquiries or where your water companies does not resolve a problem with your drinking water quality contact them. 


Sewage, oil and chemicals contamination relating to fresh, marine, surface or underground water


Major sea pollution can also be referred to:


Minor sea pollution and other water contamination can be referred to us. However, we are able to offer advice in all instances.

  • Environmental Health
  • 01273 484354 (office hours)
  • 01273 484340 (out of hours)

A private water supply is one which is not provided by a water company.  There are currently 14 Private Water Supplies in the Lewes District most are supplied by a borehole or well.

Some serve individual properties but many supply water to more than one property and in some cases a large number of properties and businesses may be supplied by a large supply network.

Under the Private Water Supply Regulations 2009, we have a duty complete a risk assessment of all private water supplies in their area that provide water to two or more properties by 2015.  Supplies must be monitored to ensure the water provided is wholesome.  The owners and consumers of supplies that only serve single properties can also request a risk assessment and monitoring.

It is the responsibility of the owner of a private water supply to ensure that the supply is protected against any potential source of contamination.  Where a failure in the quality of the water is detected we will require the owner to take whatever action is necessary to ensure compliance with the required standards.

Private distribution systems have been included the new regulations.  This is where water is supplied from the mains and then further distributed by another person.  It is likely that the number of supplies that the Council will be monitoring will increase.

Private water supplies in the Lewes District have to be registered with us.  To check if your supply is registered or to register a supply please contact the Environmental Health department. Further information on private water supplies can be obtained from the Drinking Water Inspectorate.