British households show "concerning lack of awareness" of plumbing responsibilities

A survey of 2,000 British households has revealed “a concerning lack of awareness, highlighting potential vulnerabilities in property maintenance and public health", according to the Water Regulations Approval Scheme (WRAS).

The survey by Censuswide on behalf of WRAS looked to gauge the familiarity of homeowners with the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations. According to WRAS it found that only 15% of respondents are acquainted with the regulations which impose a legal duty on everyone to use suitable water fittings when connected to public water supplies. The finding was a decline from 21% in 2021 said WRAS.

However, the survey indicated a “prevalent recognition of the risks associated with faulty plumbing products among homeowners” with 94% of respondents acknowledging the potential property damage resulting from faulty plumbing. And 62% of homeowners demonstrated awareness that plumbing products connected to the public water supply must undergo testing to ensure they meet suitable quality and standards. But only 25% of respondents correctly identified that homeowners or landlords bear responsibility for testing. 

WRAS said the findings showed awareness at 73% among homeowners on the potential health risks posed by untested plumbing products. Nevertheless the poll showed that “a large portion of UK households need better information about whether plumbing products have been tested to make informed decisions.”