We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum... Read More »
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
What mains pressure do water companies have to supply?
Options
Comments
-
mart.vader wrote: »The OP has not mentioned and is not bothered about a combi boiler.
They say that their mains-fed electric showers are not working due to low pressure. They also want to know what the minimum pressure is, that Water Cos are required to supply, and are also concerned that they might have a leak.
Yes, HappyMJ's link does say static. This means the pressure is taken when there is nothing else running.
On the other hand, southcoast says "you are measuring it wrong, it doesn't matter what pressure you have without anything running, you need to connect the gauge to your outside tap & run the cold on your kitchen tap (providing that's connected to the mains) then see what pressure you have, that's the pressure you go by"
Water Cos, minimum standard is static pressure not dynamic pressure. If you (or southcoast) want to argue with them and claim that they are doing it wrong, and they should measure it as southcoast describes, then Good Luck to you with that !
If you're right, the Water Cos accepted minimum of 0.7 bar static, would be useless for combi's as, when anyone turned a tap on, their combi won't work.
The measurements most plumbers/RGIs (except the cowboys) are interested in include dynamic pressure (as SCRGI alluded to) as well as flow rate. Upgrading the mains supply in can make a difference.
Anglian Water says
'The minimum water pressure that Anglian Water must supply to its customers at the boundary stoptap of the property is 10mts head or 1 bar'.0 -
The measurements most plumbers/RGIs (except the cowboys) are interested in include dynamic pressure (as SCRGI alluded to) as well as flow rate. Upgrading the mains supply in can make a difference.
OFWAT "The guaranteed standards scheme (GSS) sets out that water companies shall maintain a minimum pressure of water in the communication pipe serving the premises supplied with water of seven metres static head."
United Utilities "We provide water at a minimum pressure of what’s known as seven metres static head. "
Cambridge Water "You can expect a minimum static water pressure of 10 metres at the stop tap at the boundary to your property."
Southwest Water "We guarantee to maintain a minimum pressure of seven metres static head in our part of the service pipe which connects your home to our water main."
Thames Water "You will be entitled to the payment if the pressure falls below 7 metres static head at your cold kitchen tap on two occasions,"
Southeast Water "We guarantee to provide a minimum pressure in the water mains to provide an adequate supply of water to your property. If the pressure falls below seven metres static head for at least an hour,"
Bristol Water say : "Our standard of service for mains water pressure is ten meters per head (or 1 bar)." (So I guess if there's two people in your house, they only supply 5 meters each ! Ha Ha ! )
You say : "The measurements most plumbers/RGIs (except the cowboys) are interested in include dynamic pressure"
I can't find any Water Co that even mentions dynamic head. It may be what plumbers and RGI's are interested in, but you and southcoast will NEVER EVER convince the Water Cos that pressure should be measured with a tap running.0 -
I don't know. I would say that the combi industry and the electric shower industry would be well aware and I can see this issue being addressed t some time in the futuremart.vader wrote: »I can't find any Water Co that even mentions dynamic head. It may be what plumbers and RGI's are interested in, but you and southcoast will NEVER EVER convince the Water Cos that pressure should be measured with a tap running.You might as well ask the Wizard of Oz to give you a big number as pay a Credit Referencing Agency for a so-called 'credit-score'0 -
Nope, I am happy with it, but if you have superior knowledge, by all means share it.
Your statement
doesn't make sense. The requirements i.e. flow and pressure are different for combination boilers compared to electric showers.Electric showers and combi hot water are about the same power and the same flow0 -
mart.vader wrote: »OFWAT "The guaranteed standards scheme (GSS) sets out that water companies shall maintain a minimum pressure of water in the communication pipe serving the premises supplied with water of seven metres static head."
United Utilities "We provide water at a minimum pressure of what’s known as seven metres static head. "
Cambridge Water "You can expect a minimum static water pressure of 10 metres at the stop tap at the boundary to your property."
Southwest Water "We guarantee to maintain a minimum pressure of seven metres static head in our part of the service pipe which connects your home to our water main."
Thames Water "You will be entitled to the payment if the pressure falls below 7 metres static head at your cold kitchen tap on two occasions,"
Southeast Water "We guarantee to provide a minimum pressure in the water mains to provide an adequate supply of water to your property. If the pressure falls below seven metres static head for at least an hour,"
Bristol Water say : "Our standard of service for mains water pressure is ten meters per head (or 1 bar)." (So I guess if there's two people in your house, they only supply 5 meters each ! Ha Ha ! )
You say : "The measurements most plumbers/RGIs (except the cowboys) are interested in include dynamic pressure"
I can't find any Water Co that even mentions dynamic head. It may be what plumbers and RGI's are interested in, but you and southcoast will NEVER EVER convince the Water Cos that pressure should be measured with a tap running.
Lots of 'research' there.;)
Some pressure problems are caused by the consumer's own plumbing in the property. Btw...I'm not on a crusade to force water companies to measure dynamic pressure just one to get folks to ensure the water supply at the property is suitable for their bathroom or heating plans.
CCW has the best advice.
Hopefully the OP will update us.0 -
I don't know. I would say that the combi industry and the electric shower industry would be well aware and I can see this issue being addressed t some time in the future
What ! ? ! Look, Val, you're ever so slightly missing the point.
They may be "well aware", and they may "address this issue at some time in the future" but what does that have to do with the method used by the water industry to determine whether they are, or are not, meeting their minimum pressure requirements ?Lots of 'research' there.;) That's OK mate, it didn't take long and I was a bit bored anyway
Some pressure problems are caused by the consumer's own plumbing in the property. Btw...I'm not on a crusade to force water companies to measure dynamic pressure just one to get folks to ensure the water supply at the property is suitable for their bathroom or heating plans. Try reading the title of this thread
CCW has the best advice.
CCW just say 7 metres head in the pipe, they don't say that it's static, (but it is, because that's what all the Water Cos are complying with) They certainly don't say, the Tech will measure this while a tap is running, do they ?
Hopefully the OP will update us. What for ? Do you think they can tell you the right way to measure pressure ?0 -
You said 'NEVER', I gave a different view on the same point. So if I was off topic, it was no more off topic than your comment I was responding to. Am I not allowed to deviate from your line?mart.vader wrote: »What ! ? ! Look, Val, you're ever so slightly missing the point.
They may be "well aware", and they may "address this issue at some time in the future" but what does that have to do with the method used by the water industry to determine whether they are, or are not, meeting their minimum pressure requirements ?You might as well ask the Wizard of Oz to give you a big number as pay a Credit Referencing Agency for a so-called 'credit-score'0 -
They are spot on the same compared to running water into a bucket.Your statement doesn't make sense. The requirements i.e. flow and pressure are different for combination boilers compared to electric showers.
You might as well ask the Wizard of Oz to give you a big number as pay a Credit Referencing Agency for a so-called 'credit-score'0 -
You said 'NEVER', I gave a different view on the same point. So if I was off topic, it was no more off topic than your comment I was responding to. Am I not allowed to deviate from your line?
It's not just my line, it's the whole point of the thread.
As we all know, southcoast says in his sig "if I think you are wrong I WILL tell you"
Yes, but my question is, if southcoast is wrong, will he admit it ? Or rely on you and diywhynot to change the subject ?0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply
Categories
- All Categories
- 351.2K Banking & Borrowing
- 253.2K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 453.7K Spending & Discounts
- 244.2K Work, Benefits & Business
- 599.3K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 177K Life & Family
- 257.6K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16.2K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.6K Read-Only Boards