Thames Water Approved Plumbing Scheme
Whether it's a dripping tap or a blocked drain, our approved plumbers are here to help you where possible.
Search our approved plumbers list to find a plumber in your area.Select the appropriate area below:
We recommend that our customers and plumbers intending to join the scheme review the related notes below.
Approved Plumbing Scheme - Important to note:
- Please note, when we compiled our approved plumbers lists, the companies listed employed qualified named plumbers or underground workers, who are familiar with the requirements of the Water Regulations.
- We cannot give assurance on availability or guarantee work.
- We will not get involved in any contractual disputes between customer and plumber or underground worker.
- It is usually recommended that you obtain three quotes before employing any contractor.
- We recommend that you ask in advance, whether there is a charge for giving a quote.
- Please make sure you receive a certificate of water regulations compliance (TAPS) from the plumber / underground worker, following completion of work.
See notes on Certificates at the bottom of this page. - Ensure that the work is carried out or witnessed by one of the named persons listed as being approved for that company.
- The companies and their approved persons are not able to carry out any work in the public highway without the consent of the local Highway Authority.
- If you require a connection to the outside stop-tap and this cannot be achieved by excavating on your side of the boundary, please contact us 24 hours a day on 0845 9200 800. We will give you a quote for this work, this cost will be in addition to the work carried out by the approved plumber or contractor on your side of the boundary.
- If you are to receive a new connection from our Developer Services department, please provide the quote number and district number to be found on your invoice, to the approved plumber or contractor, so they can enter this on the certificate of compliance.
- Please also see the notes on certificates at the bottom of this page.
About the Approved Plumbing Scheme
The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999, set requirements for the design, installation and maintenance of plumbing systems and water fittings.
The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) allows organisations such as Thames Water to run an approval scheme, which enables plumbers or contractors to self-certificate their own work.
This negates the need for a separate regulations inspection to be carried out by water companies who have a duty to enforce the regulations.
Similar to schemes such as Corgi, which covers gas, we check all members to ensure that they are qualified plumbers or underground workers and have achieved the required knowledge in water regulations, before gaining approved status.
All members are audited every year and must produce evidence of public and employers liability insurance.
Please note that the approval is for the named person and not the plumbing or contracting company.
Although we have over 1,000 members in our scheme, only some members are available to take on extra work, through this listing.
Certificates
Under Regulation 6, of the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999, the approved contractor is required to issue a certificate of compliance.
Thames Water supplies these to members of the scheme free of charge.
The forms are carbonated so the approved person can issue to the following:
Top copy - this is issued to you the customer or developer and is proof that the installation complies with the water regulations.
Middle copy - this is issued to Thames Water, as your local water company.
Send to:
Thames Water
Ashford Water Treatment Works
Approved Plumber Scheme
Water Regulations Department
Staines Road West
Ashford Common
Middlesex
TW15 1RU
Faxed copies are not accepted.
If you require a new connection from us, please note that unless we receive the original middle copy from the approved plumber or contractor, a regulation inspection will be required.
Bottom copy - this is for the approved plumber's own records.
Thames Approved Plumber Scheme (TAPS)
There are currently four classes of certificates:
TAPS 3 - for internal work in new properties and can be only issued by an approved plumber.
TAPS 4 - for internal work in existing properties that require no new connection or upgrade of supply size from Thames Water. This can only be issued by an approved plumber.
TAPS 5 - for underground supply pipes from outside stop tap or boundary to inside stop tap. Either an approved plumber or underground worker can issue this.
TAPS 6 - for notification work. This is issued by an approved plumber and is followed up by a TAPS 4 certificate once the work is complete.
Feedback
If you wish to give any feedback about your plumber, contractor or this list, please contact us by one of the following methods below.
By email
approved.plumbers@thameswater.co.uk
Write to us
Approved Plumber Scheme
Water Regulations Department
Thames Water
St Michaels Road
Cricklewood
London
NW2 6XD
By phone
Call 020 8622 6919 (lines are open Monday to Friday)
Key to list
Area
Indicates where the plumber operates within Thames Waters area.
Internal
Indicates that the plumber will carry out internal work, for example: heating systems, showers and washing machines.
Underground / underground worker
Qualified to work on the supply pipe from outside stop tap or valve (OSV) to the inside stop tap or valve (ISV), for example: repairs of underground supply pipes, or repairs / replacement of relays.
Plumber
Fully qualified to carry out work inside and out, on plumbing systems such as central heating, bathrooms etc.
Working hours
This gives the times the plumber or contactor is available, normal working hours.
Out of hours
Outside of the normal working hours stated for that company.
Regulatory Pressure Zone Testing (RPZ)
This is a type of backflow prevention device that can only be installed and tested by an accredited person.
Want to become a Thames Water approved plumber?
If you are interested in joining our approved plumber scheme, please contact us for a free information pack by one of the following methods below.
By email
approved.plumbers@thameswater.co.uk
Write to us
Thames Water
Ashford Water Treatment Works
Approved Plumber Scheme
Water Regulations Department
Staines Road West
Ashford Common
Middlesex
TW15 1RU
By phone
Call 020 8622 6919 (lines are open Monday to Friday)
