There are thousands of private water supplies in Cornwall. These range in source from boreholes and wells to springs and adits.
As a rural area, many properties in Cornwall cannot easily connect to the mains supply. So a private supply is their only option for water. In other cases, the availability of groundwater is a cost effective way to get water.
What we do
The private water supplies team within Public Protection:
manages the quality of private water supplies in Cornwall for Cornwall Council,
ensures the water is safe and enabling the Council to meet its legal responsibilities on water quality.
We have a legal responsibility to:
sample
risk assess
private water supplies in Cornwall.
All the water samples we take are analysed by a UKAS accredited laboratory which works to internationally agreed standards.
Tell us about your supply
We have a duty to keep up to date records of all private water supplies in Cornwall. If you've recently received a letter from us asking about your supply, please use the links below to complete the online survey or download the form.
You can also use these forms at any time to tell us about a new water supply or give us information about an existing supply, such as a change of use or new contact details.
Complete the Private Water Supply survey online
Private water supply uses
The majority of Cornwall’s private water supplies are used for human consumption. Private water supplies can be used for purely domestic purposes such as cooking and washing, or for large scale commercial operations such as farming or breweries.
Farming is an important industry in Cornwall and this has a potential impact on the quality of private water supplies. Use of pesticides can affect water quality, as can the presence of livestock.
The geology of Cornwall also impacts on the quality of the groundwater. High levels of manganese, iron and arsenic have all been recorded in water samples taken from private water supplies.
Ensuring clean, safe drinking water is the biggest concern and this is achieved in several ways including protecting the source and secondary treatment, such as filtration and disinfection.
Private Water Supplies Regulations
Private water supplies are regulated by national legislation:
The Private Water Supplies Regulations require that all water intended for human consumption:
must be wholesome
and must not constitute a danger to human health.
The Private Water Supplies Regulations 2016 require local authorities to:
carry out sampling at all supplies,
except those which serve only one domestic property which is owner occupied.
Sampling and risk assessments
Any private water supply used for domestic purposes that supplies two or more properties and up to 50 people need to be sampled every five years.
Supplies which are used for commercial purposes must be sampled at least once every year and more frequently if a high volume of water is used. Commercial purposes include:
food and drink production businesses
holiday lets and Air B and B
tenanted
cafes, teashops etc.
Under the regulations Cornwall Council is also required to carry out risk assessments on private water supplies. These risk assessments are undertaken by professionals who:
identify any vulnerability in the supply
give advice on how best to protect the water source from contamination.
To arrange a risk assessment, please fill in one of the following forms and return it to us, we will then contact you to arrange a visit.
Local Authorities have a duty to enforce these regulations, and this work is overseen by the Drinking Water Inspectorate
How often you need your water supply sampled depends on:
what the water supply is used for; and
the volume of water being used.
The Drinking Water Inspectorate provides comprehensive guidance on how much water a supply provides and the amount of testing needed.
View the current Private Water Supplies fees and charges
Keeping your water supply safe
There are many things you can do to keep your water supply safe. It is essential to protect your water source and install adequate treatment equipment. Contamination from a variety of sources can occur potentially at any point throughout a water supply system if it is not robust and well protected.
Leisure water
We recommend that leisure water facilities such as swimming pools, spa pools and hot tubs meet the requirements of the Pool Water Treatment Advisory Group.
Mains water
If you are having issues with mains water you should initially visit the South West Water website or call 0344 346 2020 for assistance. We can provide advice regarding mains water quality however would normally only do so once you have spoken to South West Water.
Rivers, streams and flooding
If you are concerned about the:
water quality of a river or stream,
or if you require information regarding flooding,
please contact your local Environment Agency office on 03708 506506.
Should you wish to report a water pollution incident or potential pollution issue, please contact the Environment Agency on 0800 807060.
Droughts and emergency water supplies
If you are concerned about your private water supply being insufficient or drying up we have a list of emergency water suppliers that may be able to assist you.
Every drop counts
Despite the wet winter, water resources across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly remain under pressure.
Reservoirs, groundwater and other water sources can take much longer to recover than many people realise, and recent warm, dry weather has increased demand for water at the same time.
Many people have asked how this can happen after months of rainfall.
The answer is that water supply systems are complex.
reservoirs
rivers
streams
and underground water sources
all respond differently to weather conditions and can take weeks or months to recover fully.
This is a challenge that affects us all.
water companies
public services
businesses
farmers
and residents
all have a role to play in protecting water supplies and helping build resilience for the months ahead.
Why individual actions matter
Small changes made by lots of people can have a significant impact.
By reducing unnecessary water use now, we can help:
protect essential supplies for homes and businesses
support vulnerable residents who may be more affected by shortages
reduce pressure on local water resources
help water supplies recover more quickly when conditions improve.
No single action will solve the challenge on its own, but together we can make a real difference.
What you can do today
Top tips for saving water
take shorter showers
turn off the tap while brushing your teeth or shaving
fix dripping taps and leaking toilets as soon as possible
only run washing machines and dishwashers when full
water plants carefully and only where needed
water gardens in the early morning or late evening to reduce evaporation
collect rainwater for gardens, pots and outdoor plants whenever possible
avoid washing cars, patios and driveways unless essential
keep drinking water in the fridge instead of running the tap until it becomes cold
reuse water where it is safe to do so. Leftover washing-up water and cooled cooking water can often be used on garden plants rather than poured away.
Private water supplies during dry weather
Many homes, farms and businesses in Cornwall rely on private water supplies, including;
springs
wells
boreholes
atreams
and other surface water sources
During prolonged dry weather, these supplies can become unreliable and may also experience changes in water quality.
Why dry weather matters
Prolonged dry weather can lead to:
reduced water levels in springs, wells, boreholes and streams
lower water pressure and reduced flow rates
complete loss of supply in some cases
changes in water quality due to lower water volumes
a supply that is normally safe may become unsuitable for drinking if its quality is affected
If you rely on a private water supply
You should regularly:
check water levels and flow rates
monitor pumps, treatment systems and storage tanks
watch for unusual changes in water pressure
look out for changes in colour, smell, taste or clarity
Use water wisely
Consider reducing non-essential water use by:
repairing leaks promptly
reviewing irrigation practices
reducing unnecessary wash-down activities
recycling and reusing water where appropriate and safe.
Protect water quality
Ensure that:
source protection measures remain effective
livestock cannot contaminate water sources
treatment systems are operating correctly
filters and UV treatment systems are serviced and maintained.
Plan ahead
If your supply becomes insufficient, consider:
alternative drinking water supplies
bottled water for drinking and food preparation
water delivery by tanker
reducing water-intensive activities.
Identifying alternative supply sources where available
Businesses involved in food production, hospitality, tourism, animal welfare or public-facing services should pay particular attention to maintaining adequate supplies.
Need advice or support?
If your private water supply has run dry, is running low, or you have concerns about water quality, visit:
This page includes practical guidance, support information and details of emergency drinking water suppliers.
For farmers
If your farm is served by a private water supply, monitor water levels and water quality closely during drought conditions, reduce non-essential water use where possible, and review contingency arrangements for livestock and business operations.
If supplies become unreliable, seek support early through established farming networks and neighbouring farms.
Farmers should have plans in place for alternative water supplies for both livestock and essential farm operations before supplies become critical.
Cornwall Council cannot provide emergency water supplies for private water sources.
Advice and support are available from Farm Cornwall on 01209 823700.
Farming Community Network (FCN), which operates a confidential national support line on 03000 111 999.
The Farming Community Network website
Local farming groups, advisers and neighbouring farms may also be able to assist with contingency planning and sourcing alternative water supplies.
Fish in distress during drought conditions
Droughts are taking a toll on watercourses and the wildlife that inhabit them.
The Environment Agency (EA) are putting their efforts into rescuing wild fish in distress in natural rivers and streams where there is little to no flow and high temperatures.
Landowners are responsible for fish in private and ornamental ponds. While the EA are unable to carry out fish rescues from these sites, they are always willing to give advice to owners on the best way to manage their stock safely and legally.
We would remind people not to release unwanted fish into ponds, lakes or other waterbodies. Non-native fish can breed and spread, disrupting local ecosystems.
Those responsible for fish need to take utmost care when moving them to other waters.
Diseased fish can devastate entire populations if moved to new waters, and predators can pose a further threat.
Any fish being introduced to open waters needs Environment Agency approval first.
If you see fish in distress, report it to the incident hotline 0800 807060.
For food businesses
If your food business is served by a private water supply, monitor both the quantity and quality of water available during drought conditions and have contingency arrangements in place should supplies become unreliable.
Water used in
food production
preparation
cleaning
handwashing
or as an ingredient
must remain wholesome and comply with the standards for potable water.
Any alternative water source brought onto site, including tankered supplies, should be from a reputable supplier and must meet the requirements for potable water quality.
If an adequate supply of wholesome water cannot be maintained, businesses should assess whether operations can continue safely and, where necessary, reduce activities or temporarily cease operations until a suitable water supply is available.
Call to action
Every Drop Counts: How You Can Help Conserve Water During Dry Weather
Come Rain or Shine Save water South West Water
Looking ahead
Even when rainfall returns, water resources can take weeks or months to recover. That's why it is important that we continue to use water wisely and avoid unnecessary waste.
By making small changes now, we can help protect water supplies for our communities, support those most vulnerable to shortages and reduce pressure on local resources while they recover.
Every drop counts, and every one of us can help.