Written question asked by Lord Patten (Conservative) on Tuesday, 30 January 2024, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 13 February 2024. It was answered by Lord Douglas-Miller (Conservative) on Wednesday, 14 February 2024 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Water Supply

Question: To ask His Majesty's Government how many households in England are supplied with private sources of water; and what percentage of all households this represents.

Answer: In England, in 2022, local authorities reported 34,904 private water supplies serving 956,429 people, approximately 1.7% of the population. These figures include commercial premises such as farms, bed and breakfast accommodation, hotels, sporting clubs, manufacturers and other businesses as well as shared supplies which could supply 2 properties or a hamlet. We do not have separate figures for domestic supplies to households and the figures only include private water supplies that local authorities are aware or have been made aware of. There is no requirement for private water supply owners or occupiers to report themselves to their local authority.

Secondary information