Drinking water

• Yorkshire Water
  If you are concerned about the quality of your mains water supply you should contact your supplier - i.e. Yorkshire Water plc. (for this region).  They can be contacted via their 24 hour helpline: 0845 1 24 24 24, or visit the Yorkshire Water website.
  
  
• OFWAT
  If you are unhappy with the service provided by Yorkshire Water you should contact OFWAT, which is the regulatory body for the industry. Visit the OFWAT website.
  
  
• Drinking Water Inspectorate
  The Drinking Water Inspectorate is the principal agency that regulate the supply of both public and private supplies of drinking water. They can be contacted on telephone: 020 7082 8024, and there is more detailed information available on the Drinking Water Inspectorate website.
  
  
• Council's Environmental Health Service Communities Team
  The team will also look into possible microbiological or chemical contamination of local water supplies, particularly if this relates to a private water supply (such as from bore-holes) or a food manufacturer. If you have concerns regarding private water supplies you can contact the Environmental Protection Team on 0845 8 506 506, or email ep@wakefield.gov.uk
  
  There is a charge made for sampling of private water supplies in accordance with The Private Water Supply Regulations 2009 and the rates are as follows:
  
  

  Service (activity)	Charge to be made up to maximum fee	Maximum fee
  Risk Assessment (each assessment)	£38.96 per hour plus 42p per mile	£500
  Sampling (each visit)	£38.96 per hour plus 42p per mile.	£100
  Investigation (each investigation)	£38.96 per hour plus 42p per mile.	£100
  Granting an authorisation (each authorisation)	£38.96 per hour plus 42p per mile.	£100
  Analysing a sample
  -  taken under Regulation 10	Laboratory cost per sample	£25
  -  taken during check monitoring	Laboratory cost per sample	£100
  -  taken during audit monitoring	Laboratory cost per sample	£500

Bathing and leisure waters

The water in commercial bathing and leisure facilities, such as swimming pools, paddling pools and jacuzzis etc. should be treated to prevent microbiological contamination, but not overdosed with chemicals that could also cause harm. It is the responsibility of such commercial operators, under the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974, to ensure public health and safety is not put at risk.

If you suspect that such water facilities are contaminated, and you are not satisfied by the explanation offered by the commercial operator, you can contact the Council's Environmental Protection Team. An officer from the Team will investigate your case and, if necessary, will take samples of the suspect water for bacterial and chemical analysis.

Pollution of watercourses

If you have concerns regarding possible pollution to rivers, streams or other watercourses you should contact the Environment Agency on their 24 hour helpline: 0870 8 506 506, or visit the Environment Agency website.