[Neil Gornall]

Been having a small problem with my water production, nothing much but its annoying as I cant seem to solve it.
So today I saw the guy in the next unit who runs a large plumbing outfit so asked him to have a quick look to see if he could spot my issue.
As soon as he walked in he said if the water company were to come in here they would go nuts!

I would guess my set it is similar to lots of you yet apparently its not allowed. Tap - pump - RO - DI - Holding tank.
According to him you are not allowed to "pump" straight from the mains. Even though I have a double check valve installed its not enough.

He has suggested I install a "break tank" and pump from that.

[PoleKing]

Did he say why?
Or show you any legislation?

I've had 4 plumbers give an opinion on a gas issue I've got.
Turns out, 3 of 'em were just touting for work and scandalising.
Finally got the answer I wanted once the 4th had shown me WRITTEN legislation.

Not to undermine your fella but ask him why he thinks what he thinks and show you the paperwork. One persons interpretation may be drastically different to another's with both being right.
Dont worry for the minute though...

In other news: did you sort your original issue?

[Clever Forum Name]

My neighbour specialises in turning up at your house and installing booster pumps to up the mains pressure so will ask him when I see him.

Think he's talking waffle.

[Mitchellmoxo]

I think its because of the flow rate some of them have. If the flow rate is more than the tap is producing then the pump can create a vaccum in the pipe and bend it flat depending on the strength of your pump

[Neil Gornall]

His reasoning was that if I am "pulling" water it increases the likelihood of dropping pressure elsewhere and also drawing contaminated water into the mains.

I can see his logic as it makes sense, he used a power shower as a reference and said they are not allowed to instal them direct from the mains either, they must draw from a break tank. 

[James Bulton]

The reason for the water problem is the pump should not exceed the natural flow from the pipes but should only boost the pressure of the water for the R O. If you pump more than and I stand corrected is 12 liters a min. AS the vacuum can draw water and collapse the water pipes.
The same principal stands with many pressure waters.

[koopmaster]

I have the same setup - water goes from the mains to the pump - ro - di and then to my tank!!!

is there a magical way to get my water to my di and ro !!    I dont think so.

also if this was wrong why would they sell all these machines...!!!...

I think there's a very good British saying for this one.

b******s

[MNWC]

what RO have you got Neil ? How much water does it make in 24 hours

[craig21t]

http://www.southeastwater.co.uk/media/108946/watersupply_regulations.pdf

Look at number 3.

[andyM]

It is true.
We are not really supposed to use booster pumps drawing water straight off the mains water supply.
It is against water regulations.
Really we are supposed to have a break tank between tap and booster pump.

[Neil Gornall]

what RO have you got Neil ? How much water does it make in 24 hours

I have got a Gardiners EZ-Pure Axeon. 
Not sure how quick it producing at the moment. its plenty fast enough to keep my 3 vans full so dont time it. I will do next week.

[robert mitchell]

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1999/1148/regulation/5/made


it says you have to notify them , it doesn't say you can't do it.

It will definitely not collapse any pipes.

[trippyboy]

Its about a 2 grand fine for putting a pump on the mains,reason being it zaps everyone elses supply in the street.
You can only pump from a holding tank to your RO and not direct from mains,its fairly serious tbh

[Neil Gornall]

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1999/1148/regulation/5/made


it says you have to notify them , it doesn't say you can't do it.

It will definitely not collapse any pipes.

I just found the same document as you. It seems you can add a pump providing you dont take more than 12 L per min. Odd that it specifically mentions reverse osmosis units and waste water.. It seems all of us should notify the water company. I have now

[Dave Mills]

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1999/1148/regulation/5/made


it says you have to notify them , it doesn't say you can't do it.

It will definitely not collapse any pipes.

But "a pump or booster drawing more than 12 litres per minute, connected directly or indirectly to a supply pipe;" means planty of us wont have a problem.

[Dave Mills]

Its about a 2 grand fine for putting a pump on the mains,reason being it zaps everyone elses supply in the street.
You can only pump from a holding tank to your RO and not direct from mains,its fairly serious tbh

Sounds unlikely that it "zaps everyone elses supply" as it doesnt even affect the flow in the rest of my house (all supplied by one pipe).  I can still shower, etc, etc, without any change in flow if the pumps on or off.  Nothing like a good exaggeration on a Friday evening.

[trippyboy]

Its about a 2 grand fine for putting a pump on the mains,reason being it zaps everyone elses supply in the street.
You can only pump from a holding tank to your RO and not direct from mains,its fairly serious tbh

Sounds unlikely that it "zaps everyone elses supply" as it doesnt even affect the flow in the rest of my house (all supplied by one pipe).  I can still shower, etc, etc, without any change in flow if the pumps on or off.  Nothing like a good exaggeration on a Friday evening.

I done 2 years at college to get NVQ in plumbing 6 years ago.
This is what we were taught.
Ring your local water supplier and ask them direct yourself

[trippyboy]

Read number 3
http://www.wras.co.uk/Regulations_Default.asp

[SeanK]

Its about a 2 grand fine for putting a pump on the mains,reason being it zaps everyone elses supply in the street.
You can only pump from a holding tank to your RO and not direct from mains,its fairly serious tbh

Sounds unlikely that it "zaps everyone elses supply" as it doesnt even affect the flow in the rest of my house (all supplied by one pipe).  I can still shower, etc, etc, without any change in flow if the pumps on or off.  Nothing like a good exaggeration on a Friday evening.

Yours might not but what if everybody on the street decided to use one.
This is what its meant to stop.

[kempy]

Sssssssshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh............be quiet