On Sat, 16 Aug 2003 12:04:33 +0100, stuart noble wrote:

So, what is the minimum pressure they are obliged to provide?

I would expect to find this on the OFWAT site. My net connection is
currently very bad so can't look myself.

Who is the regulatory authority in this case?

OFWAT.

Can you buy something to measure pressure at the kitchen tap or
would a L/min flow rate be as good?

I think they are only obliged to provide a static pressure of around 4
or 5 bar. There are too many variables for a l/min flow to be a useful
measure. But having said that I do have a vague memory that the
kitchen tap should be able to produce xl/min...

I am thinking that maybe a series of readings taken over a long
period may help to get something done.

I would expect them to install their own monitoring kit rather than
rely on customer readings. The power companies will if you complain
about the voltage being out of spec. Probably have to jump up and down
on the right person though. When I couldn't find our external stopcock
and suspected low pressure the Water Inspector who came out was very
helpful.

--
Cheers
Dave. pam is missing e-mail

On Sat, 16 Aug 2003 13:34:57 +0100 (BST), Dave Liquorice wrote:

I would expect to find this on the OFWAT site. My net connection is
currently very bad so can't look myself.

Now back:

http://www.ofwat.gov.uk/aptrix/ofwat...t/poorpressure

Gives the details, need less to say I was miles out. B-)

The minimum is 0.7bar, or 7 metres head.

At the boundary stop tap the water companies have to tell OFWAT about
those properties with less than 10 metres head with a flow of 9l/min.
My interpretation of that wording is 10metres head when drawing 9l/min
not able to supply 9l/min at a much lower pressure but have a static
head 10M.

--
Cheers
Dave. pam is missing e-mail

"stuart noble" wrote in message
...
I'm trying to gather information for someone in Berks about their low
mains
water pressure. They share a supply with a local school and the water
company only comes to measure the pressure during the school holidays
when
it is judged to be adequate, but only just apparently. I suspect over the
year it may not be.
So, what is the minimum pressure they are obliged to provide? Is this
supposed to be an average pressure over a certain period? Who is the
regulatory authority in this case?
Can you buy something to measure pressure at the kitchen tap or would a
L/min flow rate be as good? I am thinking that maybe a series of readings
taken over a long period may help to get something done.
If anyone has "taken on" a water utility in this way I'd be grateful for
any
information.


I was in my local Plumb Centre the other day and recall seeing a "Regin"
pressure test kit which is basically a dial gauge with a short hose and a
washing machine tap connector all for around fifteen quid or so. If you fit
one to the cold feed to the washing machine and read and record the
pressures over a period you will have a basis for argument. You could go to
the extent of fitting a pressure transducer and a chart recorder but its
probably a bit OTT at this stage.