Why Non-Potable Water Delivery Is Essential for Off-Grid Projects
Businesses in the agricultural, construction industries, and hospitality and tourism sectors - particularly those offering remote accommodation such as remote lodges, eco resorts and glamping sites - require off-grid water systems that supply a sustainable water supply for many of their functions.
Off-grid water systems have different properties to those connected to a public mains water supply and require different means of water quality maintenance. Non-potable water helps businesses keep their off-grid projects cost-effective and efficient while reducing the reliance on drinking water.
This blog outlines why non-potable water delivery is essential for off-grid projects and the obligations a business is expected to follow when using and storing non-potable water for its off-grid projects.
What is non-potable water and how is it used in off-grid projects?
Non-potable water is water that is unsuitable for drinking but can be used for a range of commercial and industrial applications. While it does not meet the standards of drinking water, it is clean, cost-effective and versatile.
Construction and infrastructure
Construction sites require large volumes of water for essential tasks, but many projects operate in locations without direct access to mains water. Non-potable water can be used for:
- Concrete mixing: used as a key component in cement production for foundations, structures, and roadworks.
- Dust suppression: helps control airborne dust on construction sites, roadworks, and excavation areas, improving air quality and visibility.
- Soil compaction: moistens soil to improve stability and density for building foundations and road construction.
- Machinery and equipment cleaning: used to wash heavy plant machinery, tools and vehicles to maintain functionality and reduce wear.
- Temporary worker facilities: supplies water for sanitation, including toilet flushing, handwashing, and site showers.
- Drilling and excavation: provides lubrication and cooling for drilling operations and trenching work.
- Pipeline flushing and testing: used for pressure testing and cleaning pipelines before operational use.
Hospitality and tourism
Off-grid properties used as accommodation, including remote lodges, eco-resorts and glamping sites, rely on off-grid water supplies to maintain guest facilities.
- Toilet flushing: using non-potable water reduces demand for more expensive potable water while maintaining sanitation in guest facilities.
- Laundry and cleaning: used for washing linens, cleaning accommodation units and maintaining communal areas.
- Irrigation: supports landscaped areas, gardens and natural surroundings without relying on mains water.
- Pathway and surface cleaning: helps keep walkways, decking and outdoor communal areas free from dirt and debris.
- Outdoor showers and bathing facilities: suitable for eco-friendly showers and spa facilities where potable water is not required.
- Fire suppression: stored in tanks for emergency fire protection in remote locations.
- Waste disposal systems: used in composting toilets and other eco-friendly waste management solutions.
Agriculture
Livestock farms and other remote agricultural businesses such as crop-harvesting farms rely on non-potable water for many operational functions.
- Irrigation: sustains crops and maintains soil moisture, with filtration preventing blockages in irrigation systems.
- Livestock hydration: farms use non-potable water for drinking troughs and hygiene, with regular quality checks to ensure it remains free from harmful contaminants.
- Equipment and infrastructure cleaning: tractors, harvesters, barns, and pathways are washed using non-potable water, reducing demand for treated mains water.
- Waste management: used for slurry dilution, composting, and dust suppression, helping to control odours and maintain a stable working environment.
Efficiency and compliance: secure storage, filtration where required, and system maintenance help maximise water use while meeting environmental regulations.
How do off-grid water supplies work?
Off-grid water supplies operate independently of mains water networks, providing businesses with a self-sufficient water source. These systems typically rely on non-potable water deliveries. Water is stored, treated by filtration and purification systems that are built into the on-site water supply and distributed according to the business’s needs. Unlike mains water, off-grid systems require proactive management to maintain water quality and ensure a consistently adequate water supply.
What are a business's water quality obligations?
Businesses using off-grid water systems must comply with strict regulations to maintain water quality and prevent contamination. Regulations govern the ways businesses handle, distribute and store water safely, with a focus on preventing pollution, cross-contamination and system failures.
Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations
The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations require that all water systems, including storage tanks, pipework and distribution networks, are designed, installed and maintained to prevent waste, misuse and contamination. Businesses must keep non-potable water systems entirely separate from potable supplies to avoid accidental consumption or contamination of drinking water supply. This includes:
- Clear labelling of storage tanks and distribution points.
- Use of appropriate pipe materials to prevent leaks or deterioration.
- Installation of backflow prevention devices to stop non-potable water from entering potable water supplies.
- Verifying that storage tanks for non-potable water are secure, well-maintained and resistant to external contaminants, such as animal waste or chemical runoff, to prevent pollution.
Regulation 31 of The Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2016
Under Regulation 31 of The Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2016, potable and non-potable water supplies must be kept entirely separate to prevent cross-contamination. Businesses must prevent the risk of non-potable water entering the potable system through leaks, backflow, or poor system design. This means:
- All pipework must be colour-coded to differentiate potable and non-potable water.
- Outlets must be clearly marked to prevent accidental use of non-potable water for drinking or food preparation.
- Non-potable water must never be stored or transported in containers previously used for drinking water.
Businesses using rainwater harvesting, boreholes, or other off-grid sources must verify that their systems meet regulatory standards for storage, filtration, and treatment where required.
Drinking Water Inspectorate
The Drinking Water Inspectorate is responsible for enforcing compliance with drinking water regulations. While non-potable water does not need to meet drinking water quality standards, businesses must take reasonable steps to confirm that any water supply used within their operations does not pose a risk to health or the environment. This includes:
- Conducting regular water quality testing to monitor contamination risks.
- Implementing preventative maintenance schedules for water storage and distribution systems.
- Carrying out risk assessments to identify potential contamination issues and put corrective measures in place.
Failure to comply with the above regulations can lead to enforcement action, legal consequences and potential operational disruptions.
How Universal Tankers' non-potable water deliveries can benefit your off-grid projects
For businesses requiring a constant supply of non-potable water, Universal Tankers offers dependable non-potable water deliveries with a next-day delivery guarantee to anywhere within England, Wales and Scotland. With over 20 depots strategically located across the UK and a modern fleet of water delivery tankers, we provide reliable water solutions, including emergency supplies and regular, scheduled deliveries tailored around your specific business requirements.
Get in Touch
find out how we can help your business reduce its costs, increase its efficiencies and reduce its reliance on potable water supplies. Call 0800 180 4474 in England and Wales or 01236 444322 in Scotland, or use our online contact form.
