"Not Drinking Water" sign in flat

faringdon

Hi,

My small flat has a single tap that I can use.

It has a "not drinking water" sign at it.

Why do you think this might be?

I have been filling my kettle from this tap and boiling the water then drinking it.

grumpy_codger

Most likely that's because the water comes from a tank in the loft.
Does your flat not have a kitchen? Kitchen taps are normally supplied with mains water directly.

elsien

In a previous thread, he refers to it as both a flat and a room. 

Is it some sort of HMO set up? 

Grumpy_chap

elsien said:

In a previous thread, he refers to it as both a flat and a room. 

Is it some sort of HMO set up? 

That would make sense.  Tap fed from a tank at a washbasin in the room (not drinking water) and drinking water at the shared kitchen.

Swipe

I'd buy yourself a cheap camping water container with a tap on and fill it up from a mains water tap if your flat has one in a communal area.

grumpy_codger

I think 'not for drinking' means 'not for drinking without boiling'. In UK mains water is supposed to be safe for drinking without boiling. Hence the sign.

twopenny

Takes me back a few decades when this was common in public areas - but can't remember why.
Essentially it comes from either an indoor tank where it's stored or an outside pipe. Probably passable as some at our tennis club used to drink from such a tap but most preferred to stay on the safe side.

Once boiled it will be fine.

Marcon

faringdon said:

Hi,

My small flat has a single tap that I can use.

It has a "not drinking water" sign at it.

Why do you think this might be?

I have been filling my kettle from this tap and boiling the water then drinking it.

Very foolish and could make you ill. Boiling won't remove contaminants such as chemicals. If the water is safe to drink but needs boiling,  then you'd have a sign saying that eg

Section62

grumpy_codger said:

I think 'not for drinking' means 'not for drinking without boiling'. In UK mains water is supposed to be safe for drinking without boiling. Hence the sign.

I would take 'not for drinking' as 'not for drinking'.

Boiling doesn't remove all contaminants, and without knowing for sure why the notice has been put up it would be unwise to assume that the water would be potable after boiling.

Baldytyke88

Section62 said:

grumpy_codger said:

I think 'not for drinking' means 'not for drinking without boiling'. In UK mains water is supposed to be safe for drinking without boiling. Hence the sign.

I would take 'not for drinking' as 'not for drinking'.

Boiling doesn't remove all contaminants, and without knowing for sure why the notice has been put up it would be unwise to assume that the water would be potable after boiling.

AI = building regulations and other housing standards require all houses, including lodger HMOs, to have a supply of wholesome drinking water as part of their requirement for adequate and safe amenities. While "building regulations" can have a specific technical meaning, the overarching principle of housing legislation is to ensure properties are safe and healthy, which includes access to clean, drinkable water for occupants. 

elsien

Baldytyke88 said:

Section62 said:

grumpy_codger said:

I think 'not for drinking' means 'not for drinking without boiling'. In UK mains water is supposed to be safe for drinking without boiling. Hence the sign.

I would take 'not for drinking' as 'not for drinking'.

Boiling doesn't remove all contaminants, and without knowing for sure why the notice has been put up it would be unwise to assume that the water would be potable after boiling.

AI = building regulations and other housing standards require all houses, including lodger HMOs, to have a supply of wholesome drinking water as part of their requirement for adequate and safe amenities. While "building regulations" can have a specific technical meaning, the overarching principle of housing legislation is to ensure properties are safe and healthy, which includes access to clean, drinkable water for occupants. 

All of which is completely irrelevant when the OP can quite simply fetch water from the shared kitchen.