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Water Regulations Approved Plumbing Contractors specialising in Lead Pipe Replacement, Customer-Side Leak Detection and Repair, and solving low water pressure and flow-rates across Greater London & Surrey.
As Water Regulations Approved Contractors ,We specialise in lead pipe replacement, new water connections, and customer-side leak detection and repair.
We hold extensive experience in coordinated works with Thames Water, SES Water and Affinity Water’s Lead Pipe Replacement Schemes, Developer Services & Customer Side Leakage teams.
Water quality and water efficiency play an integral part in our services. We adopt a best practice approach to any advice or recommendations we provide and ensure that all installations and repair work carried out is fully compliant with the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 and BSEN 806.
We offer a full range of internal plumbing and supply pipe services including new installations, repair and replacement





We adopt a best practice approach to the work we carry out and ensure compliance with the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999
Our team has extensive experience carrying out plumbing works related to the mains water supply, including supply pipe installations, leak detection, and pipe upgrades across Greater London and Surrey.
On completion of lead pipe renewals or a water supply pipe upgrade, we issue a certificate of works completed, which can be submitted to Thames Water to progress applications or satisfy enforcement notices.
All work carried out by London & Surrey Water Services is backed by a workmanship guarantee, giving property owners confidence that installations and repairs are completed to a high professional standard.
We are trusted by homeowners across London and Surrey for reliable supply pipe works and specialist plumbing
We engaged with Alan to have our water main and internal piping replaced as they were made of lead. Alan came and gave us a comprehensive explanation of the work required and how to engage with Thames Water under their lead replacement scheme. He was the only person we could find that was up to handling both external moling and the internal works. Alan spent 2 days in our home completing the work, was polite and extremely unfazed by complications. He managed to reroute the piping under our tiled floor without having to break into it at all. The other reviews are very accurate and I couldn't recommend him highly enough!
After six months of wrangling with Thames Water, an insurance company, a motley collection of leak inspectors, pipe contractors and two plumbers, we still had a mains water pipe unrepaired and leaking under our drive. Alan came over, diagnosed a solution in minutes, and returned within a week to singlehandedly repair everything with care and without fuss. He really knows his stuff, and is wholly professional in his work. If only we had called him six months earlier. His company thoroughly deserves the five stars.
I had a leak and my water had shut down completely but the leak was not visible. The insurance company told me I needed to get someone in to do track and trace which I did and they totally scammed me. I had no water for 3 days and then I found Alan and he came round promptly, located the leak without all this track and trace equipment, took the floorboards up and fixed the leak, water back working — all in under an hour and at such a very reasonable cost. I cannot rate him enough and would highly recommend him.
Alan (aka London and Surrey Water Services Ltd) turned up and made two access points at the water meter and garage. Then with the precision of NASA he used a tunnelling mole and came up bang centre of his target. This was amazing to watch — a distance of over 20 feet with minimal disruption. My new water supply was in, effectively, efficiently and at very reasonable cost since he didn't have to dig up all my drive to find the leak at great expense. No hesitation in recommending Alan. Clive Cox CEng (retired) MEng.
Alan did a fantastic job for us investigating and resolving poor water flow issues to our flat. Other Thames Water approved plumbers were proposing major replumbing with quotes as high as £20k and even charged to quote. Alan proposed replacing the pipework from the road with wider gauge pipe as the first step and the problem was solved for barely a twentieth of that cost. He's clearly an expert at solving domestic plumbing problems and stood out from every other firm we spoke to. Can't recommend enough!
I contacted Alan following a letter from Thames Water advising of a water leak at my property. Having popped over to determine the likely cause, Alan sent through an itemised quote and patiently answered my additional questions. He and Pierce carried out the work in a thoroughly professional and minimally intrusive manner by moling a new pipe under my driveway and installing a new internal stop valve. London and Surrey Water Services combine subject matter expertise, assuredness, clarity, reliability, responsiveness and honesty. They made a stressful incident so much easier to deal with.
We contacted Alan to detect a leak because of which our water bills had been through the roof for several months. He was extremely professional, answered my questions patiently, detected the leak with no interruption to our day and above all, coordinated with Thames Water to repair the leak. He was very prompt in replying to any messages or questions I sent him and voluntarily sent me all the information I needed to claim a leak allowance from Thames Water. One of the best customer service experiences I have had in a long time!
After a disappointing experience with another plumber whose work failed to meet the water company standards, we contacted Alan and we're so glad we did! Alan came to the rescue, immediately identified the substandard installation, and redid the entire lead pipe replacement to a professional standard. He was highly efficient, knowledgeable, and genuinely trustworthy. He explained everything clearly and carried out the work with great care and precision. The difference in quality was obvious. Thanks to Alan, everything passed inspection with no issues, and we finally have peace of mind. Highly recommended!
I first found Alan McBride of London and Surrey Water Services in 2016 after I had no water for weeks and Thames refused to do anything about it. He was unbelievable in his knowledge, his support, going over and above by advocating for me with Thames and getting the problem fixed. 7 years later I called on Alan again and it is inspiring to watch how thorough he is and how his mind works. He worked it out and the fix was simple. He really is quite a plumbing and water specialist genius!
A calm, pleasant and reassuring presence, Alan turned up early for his appointment and made replacing a leaking supply pipe under our Victorian house in West London seem like a simple task, causing the minimum of disruption. He is highly knowledgeable, efficient and professional, and even reduced his already-reasonable invoice because part of his quotation did not need to be done. Honest, conscientious and down-to-earth, Alan is a pleasure to deal with.
I found Alan's details on the Thames Water WaterSafe Approved Plumbers list and chose to contact him because of the amazing reviews he has received on Google. Alan was able to successfully install an internal water stopcock into a Victorian terrace house with very complex plumbing. Alan was very easy to deal with, very hard-working and explained exactly what he was doing. Alan's prices are also very reasonable. I will definitely contact Alan and London and Surrey Water Services for any future plumbing requirements I have. Very highly recommend.
Alan has done a fantastic job replacing our lead mains pipe following an internal water leak. He is helpful, professional and clear providing sensible advice including utilising his great experience and knowledge of working with Thames Water. He is quick to respond to any queries and he works diligently and neatly. To do the final connection once Thames Water were ready, Alan came back to complete the job with no fuss. Really strongly recommend Alan and really pleased we chose him.
Alan was superb from start to finish. From arriving to prepare a quote, doing the work, tidying up and making good and coming back to finish once Thames Water had completed their part of the lead pipe replacement. He helped with the various administration parts of the lead pipe replacement scheme by Thames Water which saved a lot of confusion, providing advice and explanation every step of the way. I would not hesitate to recommend Alan for any other similar work.
Called Alan to investigate a leak at the end of the driveway. He replaced the supply pipe into the house without disturbing the driveway which was a bonus. He was very professional, knowledgeable, personable and helped us submit for the lead pipe replacement scheme with the water company. Regularly checked in with us as the works between himself and water company were coordinated. Highly recommend Alan.
Recent projects involving lead pipe replacement, supply pipe installation and water supply problems across London and Surrey
Common questions about approved plumbers, water regulations and responsibility for domestic water supply pipes
The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 set national standards for the design, installation and maintenance of plumbing systems connected to the public water supply. Their purpose is to prevent contamination, waste, misuse and incorrect installation that could affect drinking water quality.
Water companies have legal duties under the Water Industry Act 1991 (sections 73, 74 and 75) to enforce these regulations and protect public water supplies. These provisions give water companies the power to ensure that plumbing systems connected to the public supply comply with the Water Fittings Regulations. For this reason, plumbing work connected to the mains water supply must comply with the Water Fittings Regulations.
A Water Regulations Approved Plumber is a contractor assessed through a recognised approval scheme such as WaterSafe and authorised to work on all plumbing systems connected to the public water supply.
This includes plumbing inside a property as well as external pipework connected to the mains water supply.
Approved plumbers demonstrate competence in applying the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 and can certify that installations comply with those regulations.
An Approved Supply Pipe Contractor (or Supply Pipe Installer) is approved to carry out work only on the external supply pipe. Their scope of approval is limited to the pipe that runs from the water company communication pipe at the property boundary up to the internal stop valve inside the property.
Unlike approved plumbers, they are not approved to work on internal plumbing systems, and their approval is limited to underground supply pipe installation and repair.
Using an approved contractor helps ensure work connected to the public water supply is carried out correctly and in accordance with the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999. Water companies have legal duties under the Water Industry Act 1991 (including sections 73–75) to protect the public water supply and enforce the Water Fittings Regulations.
Approved plumbers and approved supply pipe contractors have demonstrated knowledge of the regulations and understand water company requirements when carrying out installations or repairs.
Yes. Water companies have the legal power to inspect plumbing systems connected to the public water supply to ensure compliance with the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999.
Inspections may occur where there is a suspected risk to water quality, when new connections are installed, or when complaints or issues are reported.
Using an approved plumber or supply pipe contractor helps reduce the need for inspections because the work can often be certified as compliant.
Water companies have powers under the Water Industry Act 1991 (sections 73–75) to investigate plumbing installations that may breach the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations.
If a plumbing system is found to be non‑compliant, the water company may issue an enforcement notice explaining what needs to be corrected and the timeframe within which it must be done.
In serious cases where there is a risk to public health or the water supply, the water company may take further action until the installation is brought into compliance.
When regulated plumbing work is carried out by an approved contractor, the installer can issue a Certificate of Work Completed confirming the installation complies with the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999.
This certificate confirms that the work has been carried out by a competent approved contractor who understands and applies the requirements of the Water Regulations.
Under the Water Industry Act 1991 (sections 73–75), water companies have powers to investigate, issue enforcement notices, and prosecute where plumbing installations connected to the public supply breach the Water Fittings Regulations. In those circumstances, a Certificate of Work Completed issued by an approved contractor is the primary evidence available to a property owner that the installation was carried out in compliance with the Regulations.
For property owners, keeping this certificate is important because it can be relied upon as evidence of compliance and the only practical defence available if enforcement action is taken in relation to the plumbing installation.
The pipe which connects the water main in the street to your property is known as the service pipe and is divided into two sections.
The section of pipe that runs from the water main in the street to the outside stop valve (normally located at the property boundary) is called the communication pipe and is the responsibility of the water company.
The section of pipe that runs from the outside stop valve or property boundary to the internal stop valve inside the property is known as the supply pipe and is normally the responsibility of the property owner.
All plumbing within the property beyond the internal stop valve is also the property owner's responsibility. Supply pipes may either be separate (serving one property) or shared between two or more properties, which is common in older terraced houses.
Properties built before around 1970 may still have lead supply pipes. Replacing these pipes is often necessary to improve drinking water quality and may also allow homeowners to apply for the water company's lead pipe replacement scheme.
Approved plumbers can replace internal lead pipework and certify that the installation complies with the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999, while approved supply pipe contractors can install or replace the underground supply pipe from the property boundary to the internal stop valve. Using approved contractors helps ensure the work can be certified as compliant and coordinated correctly with the water company.
If a leak is identified on the private supply pipe, the water company may issue a customer‑side leakage notice requiring the property owner to repair or replace the leaking pipe within a specified timeframe. These notices are typically served when water is being lost from the private supply pipe between the property boundary and the internal stop valve.
Approved plumbers and supply pipe contractors are specifically qualified to investigate and repair these leaks. Once the work is completed, they can provide certification confirming the installation complies with the Water Fittings Regulations, helping demonstrate that the problem has been resolved in accordance with water company requirements.
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