Mandatory water inspection - possible scam or the law?

[gillgellatly]

We have had several phone calls over the course of the last week from people claiming to represent Thames Water, wanting to arrange a date for a 'mandatory water inspection'. They say this is a legal requirement (no charge unless presumably they identify a problem!)for all B&B / accommodation providers to check the quality of the water. My husband and I have never heard of this legal requirement - are these people just trying to scam us for something? To date we have succeeded in putting them off, but they don't seem to give up now they have our phone no!
Has anyone come across this this before? Is it really a legal requirement to have one of these inspections?
Thanks
Gill

[greenbarncottages]

I could be wrong, but AFAIK the requirement only applies if you have a private water supply. We have a borehole supply which is tested regularly by the Local Authority, we get a full lab report, and it certainly isn't free!

It does sound like the opening of a scam, maybe leading on to selling you expensive treatment equipment. I'd contact Thames Water and ask them if the calls really are coming from them; they might be interested to know.

[Gillian Gellatly]

Thanks - that's a good idea, I'll phone Thames Water & check. Actually, after I'd posted my original message I had another phone call from them so I said we didn't respond to issues like that on the phone but to send us a letter - so far it hasn't turned up but will be interesting to see if it does!

[SomersetCider]

We had a representative from Wessex Water turn up unannounced to do this, about 18 months ago. I think she said it was a random, rather than mandatory, check. We were suspicious, as like you we'd never heard anything about it. All it involved was her runnning the taps for some time and taking a few small samples - and we never heard any more!